How does that happen? : Water crisis unfolding in Houston amid power outages, frozen pipes
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Hannah Siqueiros, clears insulation from a damaged ceiling after a broken pipe was repaired pipe above the kitchen in Michelle Toy s home Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021 in Spring. Water from a damaged pipe above the kitchen caused the ceiling to collapse.Brett Coomer/Staff photographer
Millions of Houstonians awoke Wednesday to a notice from the city that their water was unsafe to drink unless boiled, an impossible task for many residents who continued to suffer power outages from the winter storm.
A large chunk of Houston households had already lost water pressure altogether or had seen their pipes freeze, preventing access to the city’s water system. The crisis extended to key facilities, depriving hospitals and the Harris County Jail of running water. Houston Methodist canceled most non-urgent surgeries and procedures due to the water shortage and may do so again Thursd
Houston sees long lines, limited supply of water and other essentials By Jacob Carpenter and Dug Begley, Staff writer
Alexandria Hampton got a rude welcome to Houston.
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In her first week living in the city, severe winter weather left Hampton without water pressure in her Sharpstown home Wednesday, necessitating an early-morning grocery trip.
After striking out at a Meyerland Wal-Mart, Hampton found an open Food Town on the city’s southwest side and jumped in line with a few dozen other shoppers. Once inside, the selection left the South Carolina native pleasantly surprised, with plenty of bottled water limit two multi-packs per shopper and canned foods.