The Texas Department of State Health Services has raised its estimate of the number of people who died during February 2021’s Winter Storm Uri to 246.
The update is part of the DSHS’ sixth and final report on storm-related fatalities.
The storm dropped temperatures to as low as 6 degrees and brought more than 6 inches of snow in Austin, according to city data. Millions of Texans were left without power and water for days, according to state reports.
The newest report’s estimate accounts for 36 more deaths related to the storm than previously counted. Of the newly recorded deaths, 22 were in Dallas County and 11 in Tarrant County.
According to the report, those who died ranged in age from less than 1 to 101.
The causes of death included 161 fatalities from extreme-cold exposure and 25 from pre-existing conditions that were exacerbated by storm conditions, such as disruptions in dialysis due to the power outage. The remaining deaths were caused by car crashes, carbon monoxide poisoning, fires and falls.
