When the freezing cold arrives and hits, there is not much you can do except finding shelter and adequate solutions quickly. The people of Texas know this During the first months of 2021, they experienced particularly cold days, during one of the coldest winters in decades. In the southern American state, temperatures have dropped to levels that people are certainly not used to.
As is often the case in these circumstances, there was no lack of inconvenience. Not only because the cold snaps came unexpectedly, but also because snow and ice-covered everything, making even the simplest of activities difficult and dangerous. Infrastructures, roads, buildings, services: everything has been caught in the grip of frost, creating scenes as unusual as they are fascinating. Just as the pictures we have collected below show. Wrap up well before looking at them, as we’re sure they’ll make you feel cold at the sight of them. Welcome to the Texas Freeze!
#1. Even the hippopotamus froze …
image credit: Skywolf111/Reddit
A detail that says a lot about the cold experienced by Texas: this hippopotamus is suspended and stuck in the ice!
#2. A glacial waterfall
image credit: SickNumbles/Reddit
We’re in Round Rock, and this image shows a completely frozen car wash. The residual water created a curious formation, to say the least!
#3. Another scene from a car wash
image credit: SlammyDavisjr/Reddit
#4. Glacial sculptures
image credit: GreenhornM/Reddit
Imagine taking your car and finding it like this …
#5. Nothing escapes the cold
This is how cold it is at my Apartment.
— ?????? ????? ☩ (@ThomasBlackGG) February 16, 2021
As a Texan, yes, I’m certainly not built for this. I don’t even care. pic.twitter.com/FMt8imglJp
You know it’s really too cold when you see scenes like this in your apartment.
#6. Even the basin could not withstand the ice!
Can confirm my hot tub is frozen. pic.twitter.com/wOvqQW8XJC
— A. Money (@amalaz95) February 15, 2021
#7. Frozen fountain
This is the water fountain at Pensive. It appears the misters on the fountain have frozen. @CityOfDallas @DallasParkRec have been notified. Thanks to a few of you for reporting this! pic.twitter.com/AQyqYp3XrJ
— Northaven Trail (@NorthavenTrail) February 17, 2021
We’re in Pensive, and this fountain just couldn’t keep dispensing water!
#8. An almost magical scene in this ice-covered play area, don’t you think?
image credit: PastureSociety/Twitter
#9. Cactus … freezing!
image credit: quilencenotalking/Reddit
It’s not every day that you see a cactus covered in ice: in Texas, during the frost wave, even this is possible!
#10. An image that speaks for itself
Stay safe y’all
— mb (@michaelbrom) February 17, 2021
Frozen faucet at my rental ??❄️ #drip #frozenpipes #houwx #houstonfreeze #houstonpoweroutage #houstonweather pic.twitter.com/mIygHVrfu5
And now ? When is it going to melt?
#11. A walk? No thanks, too cold!
image credit: Aerial_Fox/Reddit
Even the dog did not want to walk in this cold weather: the footprints on the snow speak for themselves!
#12. Completely submerged roads and highways
Don’t walk on the highway. It is too dangerous. Drivers could lose control and hit you. #ATXtraffic #txdotwx pic.twitter.com/3XDSWCd0XM
— TxDOT Austin (@TxDOTAustin) February 16, 2021
As is often the case in freezing waves like this, roads and highways are among the infrastructure most affected. It is precisely here that the greatest inconvenience is created, and this photo proves it. Unlike other US states, Texas is not particularly equipped to deal with such emergencies. The authorities have warned citizens of the risks of driving on icy roads.
#13. A surreal landscape around Houston
This was Houston, Texas on February 15, 2021. Unreal. pic.twitter.com/QOSDIMikVI
— Daniel Gotera (@DTGoteraKHOU) February 17, 2021
#14. Too cold even for the olive oil in this bottle: it froze!
The olive oil froze inside my house @ERCOT_ISO. The “temporary controlled rolling” blackout has been 38 hours so far. pic.twitter.com/TNJL4JHhZw
— Sean Hightower (@goodlawyernac) February 16, 2021
#15. In the absence of electricity due to the cold, the temperature in the house has dropped significantly. The only solution to take shelter and gain a few degrees was the following
It is 43 degrees inside my apartment and it’s looking like I might not have power until tomorrow. I’m losing about a degree every hour or two inside. Luckily I have an all-season tent that (kinda) fits in my living room where I plan to sleep so this is where we’re at #TexasFreeze pic.twitter.com/4xEbHNQB6b
— Sarah Asch ? (@sarahradinasch) February 15, 2021
#16. A fascinating cactus covered in ice!
image credit: cjfullinfaw07/reddit
There’s no denying that when cold spells like this hit, there’s not much you can do. Frost hits everything, and sometimes it’s really hard to find the right shelter. Have you ever found yourself facing scenes and situations like the ones shown in these photos?
source used: The Guardian