The February 2021 Winter Storm and its impact on Texas infrastructure: Lessons for communities, emergency managers, and first responders

Abstract This article explores why Texas infrastructure failed during the February 2021 winter storm and discusses the rippling effects it had on governments, emergency managers, first responders, and the public. A qualitative approach was used for this study and was based primarily on interviews that were conducted with 29 individuals to understand the nature of the disaster and discover subsequent actions that took place. Research also incorporated news articles that discussed firsthand accounts taken from members of the public along with government documents that evaluated the impact and response to the disaster. The research discusses ERCOT's efforts to keep infrastructure operational for the public and reveals that emergency managers and first responders were left with insufficient information and resources while Texas was under a state of emergency. The article conveys what was done at the local, state, and federal levels and it also highlights successes and failures of the response. The article offers insight on lessons learned about infrastructure and provides recommendations to mitigate and prepare for complex disaster situations that are likely occur in the future.