Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Texas Faces Arctic Storm: 130 Counties Under Disaster Declaration

1/24/2026

44 5 Full Breakdown

Center

Governor Declares Disaster

An arctic storm is impacting Texas, bringing frigid temperatures and winter precipitation through Monday.
Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster for more than 130 counties, citing preparedness against Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
The storm is forecast to cause significant ice accumulation in North Texas, risking power outages.
Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) says the grid is ready, but localized outages remain a concern.

Right

Cruz Responds Humorously

Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) returned to Texas amid a major winter storm, responding to 2021 absence criticism with a humorous social-media post.
The southeastern Texas Panhandle is receiving heavy snowfall at one to two inches per hour, creating hazardous travel on Highway 287 and I-40.
Forecasts project an additional four to eight inches of snow by Sunday morning.
Residents are advised to exercise caution due to treacherous conditions.

History

Historical Context

The 2021 Winter Storm Uri severely impacted Texas, causing over 4.5 million power outages and resulting in at least 246 deaths. This crisis echoed the 2011 Groundhog Day blizzard, which also led to widespread blackouts and highlighted Texas's failure to winterize its power infrastructure. The ongoing vulnerability underscores the urgent need for improved energy preparedness and infrastructure to withstand extreme weather events.

1 of 3

Governor Declares Disaster

An arctic storm is impacting Texas, bringing frigid temperatures and winter precipitation through Monday.
Governor Greg Abbott declared a disaster for more than 130 counties, citing preparedness against Winter Storm Uri in 2021.
The storm is forecast to cause significant ice accumulation in North Texas, risking power outages.
Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) says the grid is ready, but localized outages remain a concern.

1 / 3