WINTER STORM

Neighbors who live in the Vintage Oaks subdivision off Highway 46 are leading a community effort to clean up the mess left behind.

In a conference room with whiteboards and glass doors, it finally happened.

Four deaths were reported in Bexar County, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services’ website. The number could continue to rise as officials link more deaths to the storm that knocked out power to more than 4 million customers in Texas. Many homes went without power or drinkable water for days after subfreezing temperatures, failing power plants and record demand for heat pushed Texas’ electric grid to the breaking point. Texas officials earlier this month put the initial tally of deaths at 57 but warned it would increase. AdThe disaster has launched a congressional investigation and led to the ouster of the head of the state’s embattled electric grid, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.

SAN ANTONIO – CPS Energy on Friday sued the Electric Reliability Council of Texas after an independent monitor for the Public Utility Commission reported the grid managers overcharged power companies during the winter storm. In the lawsuit, CPS Energy accused ERCOT of not paying what it owes to the San Antonio utility. “ERCOT has short paid approximately $2.5 billion to the market participants, and at least $18 million is owed to CPS Energy for the Winter Storm Event,” according to the court filing. “CPS Energy is taking this action to defend its customers. Price charts for the natural gas spot market show natural gas increased nearly two-fold Feb. 11, before spiking Feb. 17.

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, Megan Thee Stallion attends Variety's Hitmakers Brunch in West Hollywood, Calif. In an Instagram Live video Thursday, Aug. 20, 2020, hip-hop star Megan Thee Stallion said for the first time that fellow rapper Tory Lanez was the person who pulled the trigger when she was shot in the feet after a party in the Hollywood Hills more than a month earlier. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)HOUSTON, Texas – Singer and rapper Megan Thee Stallion is aiding her hometown, Houston, in its recovery efforts following the devastating winter storm that swept across Texas last month. This comes after February’s winter storm that brought two rounds of snow and ice, days of rolling blackouts and water outages, and below-freezing temperatures for millions of Texans over a period of days. Read also:Timeline: How the historic winter storm, Texas blackout cold-stunned the San Antonio areaThese businesses are donating to winter storm relief efforts in San Antonio, across TexasAdFebruary CPS Energy bills out soon; excessive costs from winter storms not included

BEXAR COUNTY – A couple of weeks have passed since the devastating winter storm that swept through South Texas, but many residents in suburban cities and outlying areas in Bexar County are still without running water in their homes, according to county officials. Just last week, Bexar County launched a reimbursement program that offered up to $1,500 per household to aid residents with repair costs for broken pipes and plumbing issues caused by the winter storm. RELATED: Bexar County launches plumbing assistance program for residents following winter stormStill, many households in suburban cities and areas of unincorporated Bexar County are without water and are struggling with arranging a plumber due to their remote locations, according to officials. Those who do not have access to the internet should call 210-631-5000 for the reimbursement program, or 210-631-6000 for the “I need a plumber” program. AdRead also:These businesses are donating to winter storm relief efforts in San Antonio, across TexasDevastating winter storm leaves behind trail of destruction for San Antonio-area nonprofit

SAN ANTONIO – Residents on the city’s West Side are receiving a helping hand from a group of contractors and plumbers from California following the winter storm. The contractors and plumbers, who are part of the San Diego area group Kingdom Builders, are providing their services free of charge to area residents affected by the Texas winter storm, according to a release received on Saturday. The group is working with the state of Texas to secure an interim license for the group and will be present in San Antonio from Feb. 26 through March 1 to help residents to address their plumbing needs and repairs. The effort was coordinated by Diana Sanchez, ex-CEO for the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and Leonard Rodriguez, ex-CEO/Director Westside Development Corporation, both of whom are community leaders. RELATED: San Antonio-area landscaper offers advice for stressed, damaged plants and grass after winter storm

SAN ANTONIO – Just like so many in our viewing area the San Antonio Humane Society has experienced severe water damage from several busted pipes. Both of the nonprofit’s locations -- the main campus on Fredericksburg Road and its Brooks Spay and Neuter clinic on the South Side -- had split pipes from last week’s severe cold weather. The organization said the no kill animal shelter’s Brooks clinic had such severe damage that the staff there is working out of the main campus until the damage can be repaired. “Just like everyone else, this leak is going to be costly to our organization,” Kim Hinze, Director of Development & Public Relations for the San Antonio Humane Society said. AdThe nonprofit said thankfully the main campus that houses their animals didn’t loose power for long periods of time and that the animals were kept dry, warm and safe.

SAN ANTONIO – Alamo College officials are offering emergency financial support and resources to students affected by last week’s winter storm. The Alamo Colleges Foundation established a “Winter Weather Impact Fund,” which is meant to offer more support than the Student Impact Fund. Anyone can help donate to the fund to help support students. Mike Flores, Alamo Colleges chancellor, said that supporting students means moving beyond providing help in the classroom. Related: Alamo Colleges offers aid to students struggling to make ends meet

NEW BRAUNFELS, Texas – New Braunfels Utilities officials announced Sunday that they plan to make a “one-time adjustment” to all customers’ water bills following the winter storm. According to a statement from the utility group, both residential and commercial accounts will be adjusted once to “aid and assist” customers who may have higher bills due to freeze-related leaks or unusually high usage for faucet dripping in order to prevent property damage. “Our customers have had to endure unthinkable hardships due to this extreme weather event,” Ian Taylor, NBU’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. “We understand their concerns and want to do all we can to help our community by easing the impact of their next bill.”According to Taylor, the financial impact of the winter storm on New Braunfels area customers has not been “fully calculated,” but it may be considerable. Related: Before noon, other huge sections of San Antonio will be out of the boil water notice, SAWS CEO says

SAN ANTONIO – With the big thaw barely underway after days of wintry weather conditions, homeowners are flooding their insurance companies with claims. The Insurance Council of Texas expects hundreds of thousands of claims to be filed with losses in the billions. Most of those claims were for frozen and busted pipes. “The homeowner’s policy does cover ensuing damage and most of the time covers frozen pipes in these situations where pipes burst,” said Elizabeth Gulick, vice president of Catastrophe Experience and Shared Claims Operations. “Really assess what you’re hearing, what you’re seeing.”AdAs the frozen pipes begin to thaw, she says it’s critical to know where to find the main water cutoff valve.