Fire and water: Mutual aid in the aftermath of the Texas freeze Print Back in February, Winter Storm Uri brought snow, ice, and below-freezing temperatures to much of North America. Over 170 Million people in the US received weather alerts, many of which lost their electricity, heat, and access to clean water for days and even weeks. At least 136 people died, and the damages resulting from electricity blackouts have been estimated to be more than $195 billion dollars, which is the most expensive single disaster event in US history. Arguably, one of the worst-hit regions spanned across the entire state of Texas, where a massive electricity failure left more than four and a half million homes and businesses without power for days.