Texas was hit with a once-in-a-lifetime storm Monday, which left millions of people with burst water pipes, carbon monoxide poisoning, and a prolonged lack of heat. Many cities are also under notice to boil their water before consuming it, as the power outages also impacted water treatment plants. Texas’ power grid, independent from the rest of the U.S., is run by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and is the result of anti-federal government oversight pushed by conservative politicians since 1935. Texans, especially those experiencing homelessness, are in need of food, shelter, and other necessities. Below are resources for those experiencing this crisis and ways for the rest of us to help.

Resources for Texans

Warming shelters

• This map from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) helps you find the closest warming shelter anywhere in the state. The National Guard has been deployed to help those in need of a warming station. For additional resources, you can also call 211, the state’s 24-hour helpline.
• The Texas Tribune has also compiled a list of city-specific resources of shelters and where to find power here.

Ways to stay warm and informed

If you have power or heat:

• “Reduce your energy usage as much as possible to reduce stress on the state’s power grid. You can reduce your electricity usage by turning down the thermostats below 68 degrees, unplugging lights and appliances, and avoiding use of large appliances like ovens and washing machines.” (Texas Tribune)
• If your power is intermittent or turning on and off as part of rolling blackouts, try to prioritize energy use. For example, if you are in the Houston area, you will need to boil any water you plan to drink or use for cooking, as of Wednesday morning.
• Check local news and government press releases when you have cell signal, then put your devices on power-saving mode.
• Reach out to friends and family who are unaffected for help and updates.

If you do not have power or heat:

• “The National Weather Service encourages people to close blinds and curtains, close off rooms and stuff towels in the cracks under the door. Texans should also wear layers of warm and lightweight clothing and make sure to eat and drink to warm the body up.” (Texas Tribune)
• If possible, choose one room (or area of the house) and stay in it. Sleep with pets or close to other members of your household.

If you need to leave your home

• Be wary of potential price gouging by hotels, firewood suppliers, and grocery stores. People in Austin have reported alleged price gouging at hotels in the area, with single night stays at $400 going up to as much as $999 in South Austin . You can report price gouging to the Attorney General’s office.
• Remember to bring water, snacks, blankets, masks, and phone chargers in your car. Tell someone where you are going.

Things to avoid

• Do not idle your car in a garage or closed area to stay warm. There is a danger of carbon monoxide poisoning. Harris County already reported more than 300 cases of carbon monoxide poisonings by Tuesday, according to the Houston Chronicle.
• If you have a generator, do not move it closer than 25 feet from your house. Point the engine exhaust away from windows and doors. You can find more generator safety tips and best practices in this Consumer Reports article.
• Do not use an open oven, candles, or a hot shower in an attempt to warm your house. Read more tips at The Spruce.

How to help Texans

Mutual aid

• Feed the People Dallas Mutual Aid is a Black-led, ally-funded mutual aid collective. You can donate to them via CashApp ($feedthepeopledtx), Venmo (@feedthepeopledallas), and donate to their Amazon wishlist.
• Houston: @MutualAidHou
• San Antonio: @pmgmutualaid
• Austin: @AustinMutualAidHotels

Abortion funds

• During natural disasters, abortion appointments, which are already difficult to access in Texas, often have to be rescheduled and travel arrangements change. Here are some abortion funds you can support:
• Lilith Fund, covering south and central Texas
• TEA Fund, covering north and parts of central Texas
• West Fund, covering west Texas and New Mexico
• La Frontera Fund, covering the Rio Grande Valley

Area-specific donations

Austin

• Austin Urban League is hosting an emergency donation drive for housing insecure Texans until Feb 21
• ECHO works to increase housing options for people experiencing homelessness. You can buy items from their Amazon wishlist so they can distribute them to folks in need.
• ATX Free Fridge is taking donations of warm-weather supplies such as hand warmers in addition to food. You can also Venmo them at @atxfreefridge.

Houston

• Make a donation to Houston’s Coalition for the Homeless, which has been doing street outreach to get people into warming shelters.

Dallas

• Dallas Stops Evictions has been moving people into hotels and getting them hot food, groceries, and hygiene essentials. Donate to their Cash App $DallasStopsEvictions.

Additional reporting by Anita Ramaswamy