Winter Storm Uri struck Texas in mid-February 2021, causing catastrophic power grid failures statewide. Texas A&M canceled classes on February 17-18 due to ice, power outages, and loss of WiFi. The university opened Reed Arena as a warming center on February 16, sheltering over 70 community residents and students. Campus residents were asked to avoid showers and laundry due to critically low water levels.
Alerts
5
Response
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Killed
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Injured
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Institution
Texas A&M University
Public R1 · TX
~72,000 studentsCode Maroon
Confirmed Timeline
Alert Sequence
5 messages in sequence
Some alert texts below are approximate reconstructions from news coverage, not confirmed verbatim transcripts. Reconstructed texts are shown in italic with a dashed border. Verified verbatim texts have a solid border and are marked accordingly.
INITIAL ALERTEmail
Approximate reconstruction·321 chars
Texas A&M Emergency Update: Winter Storm Uri is expected to bring dangerous cold, ice, and snow to the Brazos Valley region this week. Temperatures may drop to single digits. Prepare for possible power outages and hazardous road conditions. Essential personnel only on campus. Monitor tamu.edu for class schedule updates.
This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.
Temperatures in the College Station area dropped to as low as 6 degrees Fahrenheit during the storm, unprecedented for the region
The Brazos Valley area where Texas A&M is located rarely experiences extended below-freezing temperatures, leaving infrastructure vulnerable
UPDATEEmail
Approximate reconstruction·284 chars
Texas A&M UPDATE: Reed Arena will open as a warming center at 4:00 PM today for individuals and families in the community impacted by power outages. Bring blankets and personal items. Texas A&M Police will provide security. The facility will remain open through Thursday, February 18.
This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.
Reed Arena, Texas A&M's basketball arena, was converted to a community warming center as power outages left thousands without heat across the Brazos Valley
More than 70 community residents and students took shelter at Reed Arena
UPDATEEmail
Approximate reconstruction·365 chars
Texas A&M UPDATE: All virtual and in-person classes for Wednesday, Feb. 17 and Thursday, Feb. 18 are cancelled due to ice on roadways and inconsistent access to power and WiFi. Only essential personnel should report to campus. Campus residents are asked to conserve water immediately. Postpone laundry and avoid unnecessary showers. Water levels are critically low.
This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.
The instruction to avoid showers and laundry reflected the statewide water infrastructure crisis as frozen pipes burst across Texas
Hundreds of Corps of Cadets members responded to an urgent call to search campus buildings for water leaks caused by the ice storm
UPDATEEmail
Approximate reconstruction·290 chars
Texas A&M UPDATE: The Reed Arena warming center hours have been extended through noon on Friday, February 19. Food distribution is available at Reed Arena. Hundreds of Corps of Cadets members are assisting with building inspections for water leaks across campus. Continue to conserve water.
This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.
The Corps of Cadets' mobilization to search buildings for pipe leaks represented a large-scale student volunteer effort during the crisis
Food distribution at Reed Arena served both community members sheltering there and students facing food shortages due to supply chain disruptions
ALL CLEAREmail
Approximate reconstruction·352 chars
Texas A&M UPDATE: The Reed Arena warming center will close at noon today. Temperatures are expected to rise above freezing. Classes are expected to resume on Monday, February 22. Water conservation measures remain in effect as the city works to restore full water pressure. Thank you to the Aggie community for your response during this historic storm.
This text has been reconstructed from news coverage and may not reflect the exact original wording.
The warming center operated for approximately three and a half days, from 4 PM on February 16 through noon on February 19
Context
Background
Winter Storm Uri caused a catastrophic failure of the Texas power grid in February 2021, leaving millions without electricity and water for days in below-freezing temperatures. The Texas Tribune reported that university dormitories across the state descended into chaos, with dwindling food supplies, flooded hallways from burst pipes, and non-functioning toilets. At Texas A&M, the university opened Reed Arena as a warming center on February 16, sheltering over 70 community residents. Texas A&M Today reported that hundreds of Corps of Cadets members answered an urgent call to search campus buildings for water leaks, while another group assisted with food distribution at Reed Arena. The storm's impact on Texas A&M was part of a statewide crisis that affected all 254 Texas counties.
Analysis
Key Findings
01The conversion of Reed Arena from a basketball venue to a community warming center demonstrates how university facilities can serve as critical emergency infrastructure during regional disasters
02The Corps of Cadets mobilization to search buildings for water leaks illustrates how student organizations can provide organized emergency labor during campus crises
03The instruction for students to avoid showers and laundry during a multi-day winter storm highlights how infrastructure failures cascade from power to water to basic habitability
Outcome
Reed Arena warming center sheltered over 70 residents from February 16-19. Classes canceled February 17-18. Hundreds of Corps of Cadets members searched campus buildings for pipe leaks. Water conservation measures imposed on campus residents.