Winter Storm

It's better to be overprepared than underprepared for any emergency.

Residents of Jackson, Mississippi, are still without access to clean water more than two weeks after severe winter weather ravaged through the South.

An unprecedented winter storm across Texas in February inflated the price of electricity and left power providers and their customers with outrageously high bills.

The state official alleges that Griddy violated the state's Deceptive Trade Practices Act by hiking customers' bills to cover its own failures during the extreme weather.

Those applying for both home and business disaster assistance can complete one application to cover both.

Primarily Primates in Leon Springs thanked people who came to the aid of the animals after it lost power for four days.

It's easy to be drawn into political corners and cast blame on a single energy source failure.

People across Texas reported steep increases in their electric bills as companies raised prices significantly amid the recent winter storm.

"Texas desperately needs the help, but so do we," the mayor said. "Louisiana has been treated like the stepchild of the nation during this disaster."

Mary Gee, 84, reportedly lost power in her northeast Houston apartment over the night of February 15. Her body was discovered by her family and police the following morning.

The Texas Republican urged regulators to intervene against electric companies profiting from the severe winter weather.

"I work for the people, not the other way around," said Texas Republican State Representative Jeff Leach. "It's important for us as policymakers to show up for work and do our jobs."

The New York congresswoman was joined by Texas Representatives Sylvia Garcia and Sheila Jackson Lee in volunteering at the Houston Food Bank.

Representative Colin Allred noted that although many Texans have gotten their power back, food and water shortages continue to be issues.

"It would take almost all of my savings if I were to pay that bill," a North Texas resident said, after receiving a bill worth nearly $14,000 for the month of February.

The cold weather has caused at least 13 water mains to burst, and more ruptures are expected as the ice melts.

O'Rourke hasn't ruled out a bid for the governor's race, but said he's currently focused on doing what he can for Texans during the energy crisis.

Nearly 100,000 Mississippi residents were without power by noon local time on Friday.

Across the state of Texas, heartwarming stories of people opening their homes and handing out food, water and money to those in need offer inspiration in a time of crisis.

"This winter weather emergency is not an excuse to take advantage of our neighbors when they are vulnerable," said Travis County Judge Andy Brown.

The potentially fatal condition happens when the animals become so cold they cannot move.

The family moved to the U.S. from Tela, Honduras, two years ago and were not used to such freezing temperatures.

Cruz and his family headed to Cancun this week as millions of Texans have been facing freezing temperatures and power outages.

More than 1,000 Texas public water systems and 177 of the state's 254 counties have reported weather-related operational disruptions, which impacted more than 14 million people.

State officials said they requested the EPA provide two mobile labs to assist with water sample testing.

"It's mind-blowing. I honestly didn't believe the price at first," Royce Pierce, a 38-year-old contractor and Texas resident, said. "It's not a great feeling knowing that there is a looming bill that we just can't afford."

The judge blames the ongoing power crisis on the current and former governors of Texas for failing to include winterization requirements in their regulations.

Over 70 percent of the U.S. was covered in snow on Thursday.

Some Texas officials have criticized wind power after turbines froze during the winter storm. But in Arctic regions, turbines are used regularly with measures in place to keep them running despite the chill.

Earlier this week, millions of Texan households were without power as the state was hit by a winter storm.