Millions of Americans face below-zero temperatures as storms bring blast of Arctic air, snow and ice
Subfreezing temperatures blasting much of the U.S. have put millions of Americans at risk of potentially dangerous cold as winter storms have left four dead and continue to dump snow from coast to coast.
4 things weโve learned since Februaryโs deadly winter storm
Itโs been six months since the deadly February winter storm left millions across the state without power for days, and many questions about what went wrong remain unanswered. The KSAT Explains team and the Defenders have been closely following the fallout of the storm. We take a look at four things we've learned so far.
Gov. Greg Abbott nominates new chair to Public Utility Commission after power crisis resignations
Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday named Peter Lake the new chair of the Texas Public Utility Commission, the public board that regulates the stateโs power grid operators and saw all three of its members resign in the wake of Februaryโs deadly winter storm.
Council members, community stakeholders hold first Committee on Emergency Preparedness meeting
SAN ANTONIO โ A committee assembled by Mayor Ron Nirenberg following the weather-related power and water crises last month met for the first time Friday morning. The members of the Committee on Emergency Preparedness worked on the areas of questioning they planned to pursue - with a focus on SAWS, CPS Energy, and the City of San Antonioโs preparation and conduct during the winter event. Chairman Reed Williams, a former San Antonio City Council and SAWS board member said the committee will work to find out why the weather event was so damaging and identify changes that should be made. However, Williams stressed that the committee does not have any authority to force the utilities or other entities to make any of those changes. Williams also noted the publicโs desire for answers and said the committee would post answers online as it gets them rather than waiting to compile a polished, final report.
Landmark church in Deco District faces costly repairs after winter storm
SAN ANTONIO โ A small pump wasnโt enough to take out the water that had found its way beneath the floor of Jefferson Community Church, a Deco District landmark, after last weekโs winter storms. โAfter two days, it didnโt look like it had moved at all,โ said Pastor Olivia Walker, who had attended the church as a child. When last weekโs beautiful blanket of snow that covered the church had melted, it came in through the gaps around the foundation, Walker said. She said the sanctuary was spared, but water covered the floors of storage areas and choir rooms. Its congregation, now with only about 100 members, had already made costly repairs and improvements trying to shore up the building.
โOur community deserves answersโ: Committee to investigate winter storm preparedness, response in San Antonio
A Park Policeman patrols along the River Walk as snow falls, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO โ San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg on Tuesday announced the formation of a committee that will look into why the city and utility companies were not better prepared for their response to a winter storm that paralyzed the city for a week. Rice Jr.: RetiredNirenberg said while he wants a prompt and comprehensive effort by the committee, he wants members to be thorough in their work. The mayor asked that City Manager Erik Walsh provide support to the committee with appropriate city staff that will coordinate with CPS Energy and San Antonio Water System, and to include any experts or stakeholders as necessary. AdThe announcement comes one day after the CPS Energy Board of Trustees voted Monday for a review and audit of CPS Energy, which the utility president and CEO, Paula Gold-Williams said Tuesday she โabsolutely welcomesโ and โ(is) ready to participate.โRelated Stories:
Gov. Greg Abbott says state leaders are moving to alleviate massive energy bills following winter storm
Greg Abbott on Saturday held a meeting with other state leaders to discuss the spikes some Texans are seeing in their energy bills following a massive winter storm that prompted dayslong power outages across the state. The meeting came after numerous reports of Texans receiving exorbitant electric bills despite not having power during the storm . One Texan, according to The New York Times, received a $16,752 electric bill. AdIn a statement, Abbott called the meeting, "productive" and said leaders "are moving quickly to alleviate this problem and will continue to work collaboratively throughout this week on solutions." Along with Abbott, the heads of the Senate and House โ Republicans Lt. Gov.
ERCOT: No energy source was safe from this weekโs winter storm
SAN ANTONIO โ Top officials of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, the agency that regulates the stateโs electric grid, said Friday that no energy source was safe from the massive winter storm this week. AdThat choice kept the stateโs electric grid from a possible catastrophic blackout, ERCOT officials previously said. (KSAT)The deadly storm has reignited arguments about the stateโs energy plan, including whether it over invested in renewable energy sources. Still, wind energy accounts for less than a quarter of the stateโs electricity, a figure that is lower in winter months, ERCOT officials said. AdThat supply, according to ERCOT officials, would have been just as vulnerable to the elements.
Hereโs some ways to help San Antonio and Texas winter storm victims
SAN ANTONIO โ This weekโs winter storm wreaked havoc in San Antonio and across the state of Texas. AdSalvation Army San Antonio Area CommandThe Salvation Army is asking for donations to support San Antonio families fighting to survive the cold. San Antonio Pets AliveSan Antonio Pets Alive was forced to close locations this week due to the storm, but their work has continued to keep their dogs and cats warm. San Antonio Food BankThe San Antonio Food Bank is preparing to provide emergency outreach to community members in need after being affected by the recent winter storms. For more information about the mega food distribution sites this weekend, call the San Antonio Food Bank helpline at 210-431-8326 during regular business hours on Friday or Saturday.
FEMA warns of hotel scam for people looking for shelter during Texas freeze
(AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO โ The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced on Thursday morning there is a scam circulating about hotel room assistance for Texans looking for shelter from freezing temperatures. The FEMA Region 6 Twitter account posted there is a false phone number being shared with a message about FEMA paying for hotels for Texas Disaster Relief. Staging Management Team Atlanta is scheduled to arrive in Texas on Thursday to give additional support to the state. FEMA said the best information on legitimate sources of help in your area will come from local officials and the Texas Division of Emergency Management. AdThe TDEM has a list of agencies that are providing aid throughout the state and a list of warming centers.
These Texas snowmen pictures keep rolling in, and we cannot get enough
We have readers and news partners across Texas, and they sent in the following photos. Sure, theyโre not ALL snowmen, but a vast majority of the photos are. We threw in a baby, an ice fort and a Princess Elsa sighting for good measure. Thank you to everyone who submitted pictures. EPaez MarionWendy SpringWillisiqueenb Cat SpringUser Houstonme_kaiser Magnoliajack Conroesstephens@woodlandscelebration.com MontgomeryAmberReynolds Montgomerythe_whizkid02 Sugar LandAlex San AntonioMaria Sikkel Springtammylse San AntonioBatmangie San AntonioMichelleTX Conversenewsviewr San Antoniomariom35 San AntonioVal San Antoniosoccermimi234 Elmendorfanexravensong San AntonioRevolutions San AntonioStay safe and warm, Texas friends!
Some electricity restored in Texas, but water woes grow
Houston and several surrounding cities are under a boil water notice as many residents are still without running water in their homes. But the crisis was far from over in parts of the South, where many people still lacked safe drinking water. The next phase of the stateโs disaster response will be to test drinking water from systems knocked offline by the cold. Power was cut to a New Orleans facility that pumps drinking water from the Mississippi River and generators were used until electricity was restored. Drinking water was made available at fire stations throughout Jackson and officials also planned to set up bottled water pickup sites.
Snowmen melted to wash dishes, flush toilets as water issues continue to affect San Antonio residents
SAN ANTONIO โ Outside Gloria Perezโ home in the Highland Park area is a melting snowman, the leftover snow will likely soon be used to wash dishes or flush her familyโs toilet. They turn down water. โWe filled up containers because thatโs all weโre using And and weโre using bottled water to brush your teeth, you know, to wash dishes,โ Flores said. The San Antonio Water System announced on Wednesday that a precautionary boil water advisory is in place due to the low water pressure in the area. SAWS shared a map of the areas where they say they have issues pumping water into communities to provide service.
12 animals at San Antonio sanctuary die during deep freeze
A woman walks through falling snow in San Antonio, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. Primarily Primates on Wednesday said the animals, including monkeys, lemurs and one chimpanzee, died, as the 78-acre sanctuary has been without electricity since Monday morning. Officials said she โwas young at heart, outgoing and spirited.โThe sanctuary houses hundreds of animals, including 32 chimpanzees, for life. The animals, the majority of them being primates, were rescued from research and entertainment industries. Since then, staff and volunteers worked around the clock to evacuate animals from the sanctuary and keep the ones that remained safe and warm.
Why donโt you have running water? SAWS explains โcomplicatedโ water issue in San Antonio area
SAN ANTONIO โ Snow started to fall in San Antonio on Sunday and while much of Texas may have looked like a winter wonderland, it soon turned into a nightmare for many residents who lost power and water. For some people without water, the problem may be frozen pipes but for others, the issue may come from SAWS. A viral post on social media falsely claimed that SAWS is turning off residentsโ water, but that is not true. Adโผ๏ธFirst, let us correct a rumor: SAWS is NOT going to shut water off to the city. AdLopez said her familyโs electricity and water had been off for more than 12 hours in the last two days.
Baptist Health System experiencing water pressure issues, adjusting protocols at San Antonio hospitals
A woman walks through falling snow in San Antonio, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO โ Baptist Health System officials say some of their hospitals are dealing with the effects of the weather conditions -- including low water pressure at the downtown hospital. A spokesperson tells KSAT that hospitals remain fully staffed and well supplied to care for both non-COVID and COVID patients. The icy weather caused low water pressure at the Baptist Medical Center downtown. You can get the very latest forecast anytime by bookmarking our weather page and downloading the KSAT Weather Authority App - available for both Apple and Android devices.
In Athens, rare snow blankets Acropolis, halts vaccinations
Snow covers the ancient Acropolis hill in Athens, Tuesday, Feb.16, 2021. The snow, an unusual sight in the Greek capital of more than 3 million residents, also stopped most public transport services. The snow arrived as Athens and several other parts of Greece remain in lockdown to curb coronavirus infections. In neighboring Turkey, heavy snow and blizzards forced the closure of a highway in northwest Turkey. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with emergency response leaders to assist residents in blacked-out areas and villages cut off by the snow.
San Antonio firefighters, health officials see high volume of calls for slips, falls due to icy conditions
A woman walks through falling snow in San Antonio, Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)SAN ANTONIO โ Winter weather has caused dangerous conditions for people not only on the road but for those on foot too, San Antonio officials have warned. AdOne San Antonio health system said the hospitalโs emergency rooms are seeing โa tonโ of calls for slips and falls, ranging from minor injuries to concussions to fractures. The San Antonio Fire Department said people heading outside should walk slowly and carefully, and wear boots or other shoes that are slip-resistant if possible. San Antonio and Bexar County officials issued an emergency alert Sunday afternoon, warning residents that many streets and highways would be closed due to the icy conditions.
Wintry weather makes a rare dip to Texas -- and these photos will remind you just how much fun the snow can be
A storm dropping a wintry mix also sent temperatures plunging across the southern Plains, prompting a power emergency -- and some snow! Below are some photos submitted by viewers and readers, from our news partners in Houston and San Antonio. Winter weather conditions are affecting large portions of the U.S., but it is rare for them to extend this far south. The council manages the flow of electric power in the state. The rotating outages were expected to last throughout Monday morning.
Officials: 2 dead in Texas as subfreezing cold sweeps US
State officials said surging demand, driven by people trying to keep their homes warm, and cold weather knocking some power stations offline had pushed Texas' system beyond the limits. โThis event was well beyond the design parameters for a typical, or even an extreme, Texas winter that you would normally plan for. At DFW, the temperature was 4 degrees Fahrenheit (-15 degrees Celsius) โ 3 degrees (-16 degrees) colder than Moscow. In Houston, officials said Bush Intercontinental Airport runways would remain closed until at least 1 p.m. Tuesday, a day longer than previously expected. The southern Plains had been gearing up for the winter weather for the better part of the weekend.
Wintry weather blanketing US making rare dip to Gulf Coast
"Typically, we just donโt have quite this much cold air in place that far south,โ said Marc Chenard, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Weather Prediction Center. AdChenard said significant ice and up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) of snow were expected across parts of the southern Plains into Monday. Winter weather conditions are affecting large portions of the U.S., but it is rare for them to extend so far south, Chenard said. The airline said the storm was also affecting their flights across the region, with operations reduced and canceled at airports across Texas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Utilities warned of the likelihood for additional power outages due to falling tree limbs.
After snow overnight, San Antonio will see a frigid Monday
SAN ANTONIO โ Snow is blanketing San Antonio. Hereโs what you need to know:Winter WonderlandSunday night into Monday, San Antonio and the surrounding area saw 3-6 inches of snowfall -- the most the area has seen since 1985. If you have snow pictures, please feel free to drop them in the โpinsโ section of the KSAT Weather Authority App. AdMorning flights at the San Antonio International Airport have been canceled due to the inclement weather. The city of San Antonio and WellMed have both decided to reschedule vaccination appointments on Monday.
Dutch will extend coronavirus curfew until March 3
Snow covers a houseboat in Amsterdam, as snow and strong winds blanketed much of the Netherlands, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)THE HAGUE โ The Dutch government announced Monday it is extending the country's curfew until March 3, declaring that was necessary to slow the spread of the more infectious coronavirus variant first detected in Britain. The country's 9 p.m.-to-4:30 a.m. curfew was introduced Jan. 23 and triggered days of riots in towns and cities across the Netherlands. However, the unrest has since subsided and the vast majority of residents adhere to the curfew. Last week, Prime Minister Mark Rutte extended most of the country's tough lockdown measures, already in force since mid-December, until March 2.
Heavy snowstorm pounds Germany, upends travel
(AP Photo/Peter Dejong)BERLIN โ A snowstorm and strong winds pounded northern and western Germany on Sunday, forcing trains to cancel trips and leading to hundreds of vehicle crashes. The German Weather Service DWD urged people to stay at home and authorities brought homeless people into warm shelters amid the sub-freezing temperatures. AdThe Bundesliga soccer game between Arminia Bielefeld and Werder Bremen was called off hours before kickoff Sunday because of the snowstorm. In Wuppertal, in western Germany, firefighters had to rescue six passengers out of the city's famous elevated railway after a train stopped moving due to the icy conditions. AdIn the Netherlands, snow blanketed much of the country, forcing the government to cancel a weekly crisis meeting to discuss the coronavirus pandemic.
The Day the Music Died: February 3rd, 1959
1936: Singer-songwriter Buddy Holly is born under the birth name Charles Hardin Holley in Lubbock, Texas. Holly would go on to become one of rock 'n' roll's pioneers despite a brief career cut short by his tragic death at age 22. Appropriately referred to as the โThe Day the Music Died,โ weather likely contributed to a commuter flight crash that killed rock nโ roll musicians Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper -- whose real name was J.P. Richardson, and Ritchie Valens, along with pilot Roger Peterson. (Repertoire Records)1936: Singer-songwriter Buddy Holly is born under the birth name Charles Hardin Holley in Lubbock, Texas. Don McLean later famous addressed the plane crash in his 1971 song โAmerican Pieโ labeling it the โDay the Music Diedโ.
The Latest: Wet snow turns to sleet in northern New England
A sprawling, lumbering winter storm has walloped the Eastern U.S., shutting down coronavirus vaccination sites, closing schools and halting transit. In its second day in the Northeast, a snow storm left nearly 15 inches (38 centimeters) of snow piled up in parts of New Hampshire. The Yale New Haven Health system, which runs several hospitals in southern Connecticut, said its vaccination sites were closed Tuesday and staff were contacting people to reschedule appointments. In New England, nearly 15 inches (38 centimeters) of snow piled up in southeast New Hampshire, and the mountains were getting heavy snow as well. The National Weather Service reported 30 inches of snow fell in parts of Sussex and Morris counties on Monday.
Vaccinations resume as not-quite-historic snowstorm fades
Coronavirus vaccination sites across the Northeastern U.S. are getting back up and running after a two-day snowstorm that also shut down public transport, closed schools and canceled flights. Some vaccination sites in New York City remained closed, but others, including those run by the public hospital system, were open Tuesday. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)Coronavirus vaccination sites across the Northeast ramped back up Tuesday after a two-day snowstorm that also shut down public transport, closed schools and stranded travelers with canceled flights. Some vaccination sites in the city remained closed, but others, including those run by the public hospital system, were open Tuesday. Tom Wolf declared a disaster emergency after snowfall of up to 30 inches (76 centimeters) throughout central and eastern regions.
Major storm heads to Northeast after blanketing Midwest
"Rosie" runs in the snow on the National Mall in front of the U.S. Capitol, Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, in Washington. It was already impacting coronavirus vaccinations in New York and New Jersey, with appointments for Monday needing to be canceled and rescheduled. The storm system blanketed parts of the Midwest in the most snow some places had seen in several years. In Wisconsin, snow depths in some counties near Lake Michigan had reached more than 15 inches (38 centimeters), and the snow was still falling. Much of the region could see blizzard-like conditions, with a foot to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) of snow.
Freezing temps bring Europe traffic chaos, smog, avalanche
In Switzerland, a skier who had been buried by an avalanche over the weekend died in a hospital of his injuries, authorities said Monday. Temperatures dropped to minus 28 degrees Celsius (minus 18 Fahrenheit) in some Polish areas overnight, the coldest night in 11 years. Just across Poland's southwestern border, the Czech Republic experienced the coldest night this year with temperatures dropping below minus 20 degrees Celsius (minus 4 Fahrenheit) in many places. In eastern Albania, temperatures dipped as low as minus 13 degrees Celsius (9 Fahrenheit) in Peshkopi, 110 kilometers (70 miles) east of the capital, Tirana. The Nordic region also saw snow and subfreezing temperatures, with the coldest temperatures predictably recorded in the Arctic.
GALLERY: Wintry mix in San Antonio, Hill Country
SAN ANTONIO โ Itโs a January Winter Wonderland! Or at least, thatโs how it looks to some Texans across the state who are seeing snowfall on Sunday. KSAT meteorologists reported that parts of the state, specifically Central and Northern Texas, will experience a storm system allowing โsome measurable snow to fall.โParts of Austin, and even closer to San Antonio, parts of the Hill Country have spotted snow flurries. Share your pictures and videos with us by clicking here. Related: WATCH LIVE: Meteorologist Sarah Spivey has the latest on wintry mix in San Antonio
'Unbelievable' snowfall blankets parts of the Northeast
โIf you do not have to be on the roads, please don't travel,โ said New York Gov. Boston had more than 9 inches of snow early Thursday morning, breaking the previous record for the date of 6.4 inches in 2013. Parts of northern New England saw as much as 7 inches of snow per hour, said Margaret Curtis, meteorologist for the National Weather Service. A rate of 1 inch per hour is typically enough to make it hard for snowplow trucks to keep up. Snow totals topped 3 feet across a wide swath of New Hampshire, and Maine's southernmost county saw 1 to 2 feet.
'If not one thing, it's another': Storm rolls into Northeast
A woman waits for a Long Island Rail Road train in the Queens borough of New York as snow falls at the start of an oncoming snow storm, Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020. Snow was falling from northern Virginia to points north of New York City by late afternoon. โOur theme today ought to be, โIf itโs not one thing, itโs another,โโ New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said as he gave residents storm guidance that's new this year โ mask up if you help your neighbors shovel. In New York City, officials braced for the biggest storm in about three years.
Halloween in the pandemic: Costumes and candy, at a distance
(AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)Ghosts, skeletons, princesses and black cats roamed the streets as usual this Halloween, but they kept their distance, wore face coverings and carried hand sanitizer in their quest for treats. Like with everything else this year, the pandemic also left its mark on Halloween. Parades, parties and haunted houses were canceled due to bans on large gatherings and concerns that spooky celebrations could spread the coronavirus. In the Chicago suburb of Oak Park, Tomeka Ray took her 4-year-old daughter, Diamond, trick-or-treating in the afternoon. Caden Korchuk, 11, and friend Jayden Schoning, 10, both dressed as skeletons, also appreciated getting their candy delivered from a distance.
Snow, freezing rain reported in parts of West Texas, Panhandle
OKLAHOMA CITY โ Snow, sleet and freezing rain were reported Tuesday in parts of the Texas Panhandle as an early season ice storm bore down on the Southern Plains. The National Weather Service issued an ice storm warning for areas in the Big Country, Concho Valley, the Northern Edwards Plateau and portions of the Heartland. Freezing rain is expected in parts of West Central Texas. Snow was also reported near Amarillo and San Angelo, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shared images of a snowy Chaprock Canyons State Park near Quitaque. NWS-El Paso also reported snowy conditions in the Borderland, where temperatures were in the upper 20- and low 30-degree range.
Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee top Billboard Latin Music Awards
Bad Bunny, left, accepts the award for social artist of the year at the Billboard Latin Music Awards on April 25, 2019, in Las Vegas and Daddy Yankee accepts the award for favorite male artist at the Latin American Music Awards at the Dolby Theatre on Oct. 25, 2018, in Los Angeles. Bad Bunny and Daddy Yankee triumphed at the Billboard Latin Music Awards Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2020, claiming seven trophies apiece at the pandemic-delayed show. (AP Photo)SUNRISE, Fla. โ Bad Bunny and Daddy Yankee triumphed at the Billboard Latin Music Awards Wednesday, claiming seven trophies apiece at the pandemic-delayed show. Daddy Yankee won six of his awards for his hit โCon Calma,โ which featured the 1990s artist Snow. His honors included the hot Latin song aware, and song of the year honors for streaming and airplay and digital platforms.
Megan Thee Stallion says she was shot, expects to recover
FILE - In this Aug. 26, 2019 file photo, Megan Thee Stallion arrives at the MTV Video Music Awards in Newark, N.J.. The rapper says she was shot multiple times, but expects to fully recover. The 25-year-old said in an Instagram post Wednesday that she had gunshot wounds from a crime committed against her Sunday with the intent to harm her and feels lucky to be alive. She did not say who shot her or why, and Los Angeles police had no immediate comment. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File)
Wintry mix of snow and sleet falls around San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO โ Yep, that was snow some folks saw last nightโฆ along with a little bit of sleet or graupel. Yesterday started with cold air and some light rain, and some mixed precipitation way out west. That little disturbance, along with very cold air aloft, squeezed out the leftover moisture, and we had some snow. Now we have very cold air, but not for long. snow image 2 (KSAT)snow image 2 (KSAT)snow image (KSAT)Check out the latest satellite imaging tracking storms in the San Antonio area here:Continued Weather CoverageStick with KSAT 12 News, your Weather Authority for the latest weather updates.