Winter Storm Uri Community Feedback

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  Rebecca Matthews

  by Gardener652@2!, over 4 years ago
  I literally thought I was going to freeze to death. No power for four days!!! Then the day I got power I lost water for two days. Lost all my food in the refrigerator and costs $100s to replace it and the city let it happen!! The city allowed ercot to turn off electricity to residents for days!!! Shane on you. And then did nothing to compensate for all the loss.

  I literally thought I was going to freeze to death. No power for four days!!! Then the day I got power I lost water for two days. Lost all my food in the refrigerator and costs $100s to replace it and the city let it happen!! The city allowed ercot to turn off electricity to residents for days!!! Shane on you. And then did nothing to compensate for all the loss.
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  Preparing to survive extreme events - sensibly

  by CNWHOO, almost 5 years ago

  I want to address a glaring statewide infrastructure issue that made everyone’s situation more dangerous than necessary. Even though I lost power, we had taken precautions, filling up our home propane tank just a week or so before URI. So, we had heat and suffered no tragic loss during or after URI. However, my friends around the state suffered greatly due to this state's poor energy and infrastructure integrity policies and practices.

  Many of my friends received no natural gas supply for heat due to being cut off from remote supply sources. Since they also lost power, they experienced... Continue reading

  I want to address a glaring statewide infrastructure issue that made everyone’s situation more dangerous than necessary. Even though I lost power, we had taken precautions, filling up our home propane tank just a week or so before URI. So, we had heat and suffered no tragic loss during or after URI. However, my friends around the state suffered greatly due to this state's poor energy and infrastructure integrity policies and practices.

  Many of my friends received no natural gas supply for heat due to being cut off from remote supply sources. Since they also lost power, they experienced serious/dangerous discomfort and damage to their homes.

  The lack of localized storage for natural gas is a key shortcoming in the infrastructure needed for energy security. While gas pipelines actually do provide a lot of storage, when a big winter storm like URI hits, the extreme drawdown by all consumers quickly saps stored gas from the packed lines. When supplies to residential neighborhoods are cut off for days, folks that depend on gas heat can die. When, supplies to power generators are curtailed for days, folks that depend on electricity for survival will die. Now, even more loss of life is being attributed to this event… but, we know it was not an event. It was decades of misguided energy policy and neglect that caused the loss of life.

  If/when our state and local governments give their support to establishing strategically located natural gas storage facilities, we will see that power plants do not have to compete with people for gas supplies. A few days of gas storage at plants like Austin Power’s 570MW Sand Hill facility would avoid a dangerous struggle for supply from remote gas fields.

  Many power generators across the nation are turning to LNG (that is, Liquefied Natural Gas) storage at their facilities to ensure energy security… BUT, LNG has a big carbon footprint… and, Austinites want to limit carbon exhaust. Fortunately, Pressurized LNG (called PLNG) was invented FIVE decades ago and earlier this century was proven to cost much less and require half as much energy as LNG – potentially reducing CO2 output by half. However, until today, the problem with PLNG has been that there was no practical means for storing large volumes.

  Now, an innovative and practical means for PLNG storage is offered by ezNG Solutions. Still, even though PLNG is simpler, much less costly, and much greener than LNG, it will still take money… and good policy… to ensure that power plants get the localized gas storage WE all need them to have.

  For many years now, Texas energy policy has not provided a foundation for encouraging most baseload electricity generators to adequately invest in energy security… while wind and solar energy providers have been incentivized in ways that have greatly increased energy costs for most consumers. Unfortunately, the bills passed in the most recent session continue to use the stick rather than support to those providing fuel and critical baseload power.

  To better understand the value of PLNG and why/how the LNG industry should “green up its act” watch this video - video: ezNG - ASME® Power 21, Power Conference - YouTube.

  [It is worth noting that fuel cost savings and power sales during a single storm, like URI, could more than fully pay out the cost of installing suitably sized storage at any one of the CC GT power plants in Texas.]
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  Perspectives and Recommendations from the Austin Apartment Association

  by Paul Cauduro, almost 5 years ago

  Comments from the Austin Apartment Association to the City of Austin Winter Storm Task Force

  Winter Storm Task Force Meeting – June 23, 2021

  
  

  Summary

  The Austin Apartment Association (AAA) was founded in 1964 and is composed of more than 1,000 diverse businesses that own, manage and service more than 275,000 rental homes in the Greater Austin area and 10 surrounding counties. The City Council created the Winter Storm Review Task Force under section 2-1-2(E) of the City Code for the purpose of holding open public listening sessions during which individuals and organizational representatives can share information, experiences, and recommendations... Continue reading

  Comments from the Austin Apartment Association to the City of Austin Winter Storm Task Force

  Winter Storm Task Force Meeting – June 23, 2021

  
  

  Summary

  The Austin Apartment Association (AAA) was founded in 1964 and is composed of more than 1,000 diverse businesses that own, manage and service more than 275,000 rental homes in the Greater Austin area and 10 surrounding counties. The City Council created the Winter Storm Review Task Force under section 2-1-2(E) of the City Code for the purpose of holding open public listening sessions during which individuals and organizational representatives can share information, experiences, and recommendations related to the winter storm and resulting crises. The AAA appreciates the task force creation and the opportunity to submit comments.

  Multifamily properties suffered widespread damage as a result of the extreme winter weather that peaked on Monday, February 15, 2021. The lack of reliable heat due to the power outages issued by the state’s energy grid operators created a problem many properties could not overcome. It is obvious that had the electric grid operated without fail, and the ordered blackouts not occurred, the freeze damage would have been far less. Nearly 420,000 insurance winter storm related claims were filed in Texas.

  Apartment industry professions began working before and after the freeze to prevent and stop water damage, and there are countless stories of maintenance technicians and property managers going above and beyond to improve onsite conditions. As of June, the number of code case associated with winter storm damage has dwindled to just 123 and only one apartment property is facing possible fines and penalties.

  Contractor availability, materials and parts, insurance adjusting/estimating and labor and manpower logistics of onsite teams were all reported to be the primary factors contributing to the timeline for repairs. Also contributing to the delays are permitting procedures and trying to coordinate inspection requirements with unit residents including preconstruction inspection meetings and the required “screw pattern” inspection of the drywall installation before final prep and paint.

  The AAA membership encourages state and local policy leaders to carefully consider our recommendations including improved power outage management policies and the use of video inspections for damage repairs. The AAA stands ready to assist in the effort to make the state and local policy changes necessary to keep the multifamily housing industry from enduring a similar event, and the resulting damage, in the future.

  COMMENTS

  Disaster events always reveal much about best-laid plans and the ability to quickly move toward a collective recovery. When it comes to the recent winter storm disaster the collective recovery is ongoing and the impacts linger. The Austin Apartment Association herein provides our perspective on this catastrophic event and present recommendations that will help multifamily housing residents and operators to better endure similar winter conditions or other catastrophic damage events in the future.

  On February 15, at the peak of the winter storm unofficially named “Uri”, the average temperature across Texas was just 12° and most Texas cities set new records for continuous hours below freezing temperature. The impacts of this extreme winter weather on landscape, physical structures and buildings are jarring. Insurance modelers and market research organizations claim the storm damage will exceed $20 billion. By comparison, the widespread losses associated with Hurricane Harvey caused nearly $19 billion in insured losses in Texas.

  The Texas Department of Insurance cites 418,362 reported claims from homeowner, commercial property, and automobile insurance policyholders. There is little doubt this avalanche of claims will spur insurance rate hikes on top of what was already an eye-popping jump in commercial and multifamily insurance rates in recent years.

  A recent survey¹ of housing providers representing 2.6 million units (including 1.3 million affordable units) indicates that general umbrella/excess liability insurance premiums increased for 95% of policies including 26% with rate increases over 30% in 2020 and 2021. In the commercial property sector, insurance premiums increased for 94% of policies including 14% with rate increases over 30% during the same period.

  That same survey found that the most common apartment management actions used to mitigate higher insurance premiums includes increasing insurance deductibles, decreasing operating expenses, and increasing rent. Nationally, 16 cents of every $1 in rent pays for operating expenses such as property and liability insurance, utilities, and ongoing maintenance. When this figure is recalculated, it is likely that any increase in the national average for this portion of operation costs may very well be attributed to Texas rental housing providers alone.

  Austin Apartment Association member Ben George, CLCS with Higginbotham Insurance says “We fully anticipate a direct impact on the insurance market’s profitability moving forward. As a result of this unexpected event, it is reasonable to predict Apartment/Habitational risks throughout Texas will face further scrutiny from insurance underwriters. Rate increases, higher deductibles, and tighter terms and conditions are likely as the winter storm will keep us in a “hard” insurance market. We were hopeful that in 2021 there would be light at the end of the tunnel and that rates would level off, but with this significant loss, event repercussions will be felt in the insurance marketplace. “

  As the cold and ice-covered landscape drooped, the winter storm’s wrath began to creep behind the walls and under the roof to freeze water pipe systems. Water systems running in attic spaces were especially vulnerable, and the lack of reliable heat due to the power outages issued by the state’s energy grid operators created a problem many properties could not overcome.

  The brutal effects of the long power outages ordered by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) targeted water pipes and fire sprinkler systems. The bursting of frozen water pipes created lasting images of water cascading down the side of buildings or dripping from ceilings. Residents and onsite staff at apartment communities were doing everything in their power to minimize damage of units and belongings from the water damage. It is obvious that had the electric grid operated without fail, and the ordered blackouts not occurred, the freeze damage would have been far less.

  As the insurance impacts are tallied and electric grid actions are fully analyzed, it is important to recognize disaster preparation plans that did go right, and the fast corrective actions taken to reduce damage and meet the needs of apartment and rental housing residents. In a post-storm survey of Austin Apartment Association members, they reported such taking such actions as:

  • “Prior to storm - constant communication with residents on freeze preparation (drip lines, covered exposed lines, de-icing high traffic walkway areas), onsite maintenance or on-call maintenance. During storm, drained fire system lines once pipe breaks commenced, port-o-potty when water was turned off by city, warming buses for those that use aquatherm units to heat homes, water for drinking, cooking and for hygiene.”
  • “We covered all weatherized all exterior water spigots. We purchased de-ice to install and avoid injuries. We winterized all vacant apartment homes in advance. We educated residents repeatedly on the importance of running faucets, opening cabinets, and keeping the heat on low.”
  • “Implemented company ‘Winter storm Preparedness’ practices.”

  AAA members also reported that the first actions taken to help residents without water or with unit damage was to temporarily place them in vacant units on-site or at a sister property.

  We know that Austin Energy, Austin Water, and Austin Code as well as many other departments and government entities deftly worked and ably responded to fast-changing situations and demands. The AAA appreciates city and county leadership for engaging with us to coordinate information and water distribution actions.

  The residential property management industry rose to the occasion to help address critical situations and quickly begin the recovery process. We are especially thankful and proud of the countless apartment professionals separated from their own families in order to be at the property to stop those cascades of water and treat ice-covered stairways and parking lots. Some onsite team members slept in their office or the community center while working around the clock to start property preparedness plans, mitigate damage, secure resources for residents, implement fire watch procedures, and coordinate repair efforts. The AAA also applauds the efforts taken by members who played a role in assisting the city in their efforts to distribute water, and special recognition is given to the AAA’s product and service provider members who generously contributed the funding and distribution resources to deliver more than 35,000 bottles of water to apartment communities stranded without water service.

  The city has initiated reports and a task force examination of the winter freeze response and recovery. The reports on this extreme storm may reveal extreme situations, but the AAA is confident that the ongoing recovery process is being conducted as quickly as possible. It is important to note that of the over 200,000 apartment homes in the City, Austin Code initially reported just over 700 multifamily property code violation cases initiated by residents through the 3-1-1 system. That figure was quickly corrected and reduced by 78% to 123 cases in the subsequent report. To date, only two cases have appeared before the city’s Building Standards Commission with only one of those resulting in possible fines and penalties despite valid testimony from the property regarding the lengthy insurance claim process and contractor availability delays.

  The winter storm underscores that the demands placed on the apartment industry in times of crisis are enormous. Every apartment resident, owner, and property manager wants damage repaired and everyday lives quickly restored. However, the widespread damage caused by the freeze consequently led to thousands of properties making similar damage repairs and competing for the same resources and assistance. Contractor availability, materials and parts, insurance adjusting/estimating and labor and manpower of onsite teams were all reported to be the primary factors contributing to the timeline for repairs. Permitting delays, coordinating preconstruction inspection meetings and other required inspections with unit residents, including a required “screw pattern” inspection of the drywall installation before final prep and paint, for nearly all wall repairs have also contributed to the delays.

  The AAA continues to promulgate winter storm-related information and resources to its members and their residents. The AAA has created a Disaster Response and Preparedness Task Force. This permanent task force is comprised of a wide range of industry professionals who will help create plans and procedures to guide the AAA actions as well as identify best practices and create educational materials and resources for apartment owners and managers of all sizes.

  As we look toward the future, the AAA agrees with power grid recommendations expressed by many others when calling for mandatory natural gas production pipelines weatherization with minimum standards with meaningful enforcement as well as modifications to electric transmission and distribution systems as well as improve outage management practices so that power outages are rotated among all customers. We also agree that the benefits and costs of adding additional high voltage transmission between ERCOT and its neighboring interconnections should be fully examined.

  Locally, the AAA recommends that:

  • Austin Energy establish new policies that allow for, and encourage, resiliency through onsite power generation and the creation of micro-grid power distribution systems.
  • The city explore the prospect of creating a fire sprinkler pipe insulation rebate program.
  • Clearly identify representatives on the City and County disaster response team responsible for coordinated resource allocation and communication with multifamily properties. Ensure key local trade associations are engaged with their response team representative for information sharing and resource deployment. Include key local trade associations in disaster training exercises.
  • Include property management representation on disaster- and property related boards, commissions, and task forces.
  • Following widespread storm damage, offer City permit and fee waivers for at least ninety days following storm events.
  • Fully explore the use of video inspection procedures associated with small property repairs, and especially common wall repairs and the required insulation and screw pattern inspections, to help reduce construction delays and resident inconvenience.

  These recommendation are submitted in ongoing effort to improve disaster response, coordinate actions, and expedite disaster recovery, and the AAA endeavors to be a resource to help assist in the their implementation. The final tally of insurance claims, common damage experienced and other related facts that could help guide policy actions have yet to be revealed. It is our hope that the Task Force and city policy leaders will continue to collect and analyze information and make the changes needed to lesson the impact of severe winter weather on multifamily properties and improve disaster response procedures.

  ¹ Increased Insurance Costs for Housing Providers Nam D. Pham, Ph.D. and Mary Donovan, ndp | analytics, May 2021,

  
  

  Respectfully submitted,

  
  

  Austin Apartment Association

  512-323-0990

  8620 Burnet Road, Suite #475

  Austin, Texas 87857

  
  
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  Isolated Seniors in Despair

  by lenorelane, almost 5 years ago

  I have worked in human services for almost 20 years and this storm was one of the most traumatizing events of my career, and believe me, I have seen A LOT. I have worked in some very gritty sectors of social service and have some pretty tough skin. But, when you hear voice after voice of really old people over the phone, isolated in their homes TERRIFIED because they may die without water in THIS country...it will unnerve the strongest of us.

  
  

  I'm the Executive Director of Drive a Senior-Austin, TX, we provide free transportation service to homebound, isolated seniors... Continue reading

  I have worked in human services for almost 20 years and this storm was one of the most traumatizing events of my career, and believe me, I have seen A LOT. I have worked in some very gritty sectors of social service and have some pretty tough skin. But, when you hear voice after voice of really old people over the phone, isolated in their homes TERRIFIED because they may die without water in THIS country...it will unnerve the strongest of us.

  
  

  I'm the Executive Director of Drive a Senior-Austin, TX, we provide free transportation service to homebound, isolated seniors in Austin. The week of Uri we rapidly transitioned into an emergency resource center, calling over 400 of our clients (those who had cell phones) in a matter of hours to check on them and take them supplies. One older gentleman was eating his cat's food, a women in her 90's hadn't had water in 2 days, another simply couldn't reach her extra blankets on a high-up shelf, many older adults were in tears as they believed they were forgotten about during this crisis. Isolated, alone, freezing, and scared.

  
  

  We started to receive calls from non-registered seniors in crisis, as well as city council members who were not equipped to help the marginalized seniors in their district who were alone in their homes. Drive a Senior-Austin, TX had the capability to RAPIDLY deploy volunteers who took water, food, and blankets to the homes of older seniors, often at their own risk on icy roads. Thanks to the help of Alison Alter and her crew for giving us access to emergency water to distribute, we quickly had a wall lined with cases of water. Several volunteers simply had a senior get in their car and take them home with them, knowing that no senior should ever be left alone in those conditions. (they hide their capes under their everyday clothes). Our greatest asset was our relationship with the local faith community. Several of our sponsoring congregations contacted me and asked what they can do. They were able to deploy volunteers and supplies just as rapidly as we did, calling on their congregants to go to their elderly neighbors' doors to check on them.

  
  

  I got in my car after two intensive days of dispatching calls and supplies, calming seniors down, tracking down supplies and I cried. I was overwhelmed by how much fear I heard in so many older adults voices, how much hopelessness was felt through my cell phone. I thought to myself, "How did this happen? How did we (Austin) not have a plan?" You see, I grew up and spent the first 35 years of my life in a region where emergency preparedness was indoctrinated in the culture of every man, woman, and child. This situation didn't make sense to me, how could such a lucrative and intelligent community NOT have an emergency plan for the most vulnerable residents?

  
  

  The good news is, is that this lucrative and intelligent community CAN do something about it and HAS started to create goals and plans. Here's to hoping for long-term success and collaborative work to ensure no one ever has to feel terrified of dying from the lack of water in our great city again.

  
  

  
  

  
  
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  I was lucky, our government failed

  by lwilliams8d, almost 5 years ago
  

  I moved to Austin, arriving the day before the first snowfall. I'll always remember two things about the main storm.

  The first is Austin Energy's communication style. They chose to communicate primarily through Twitter, which was increasingly hard to get to without power to charge a mobile device. They chose to say it'd be "rolling blackouts," and then revealed that they technically couldn't roll them. Yet, all of them are still employed.

  The second thing I'll remember is Mayor Adler. I was laying under 3 blankets, wondering how we'd be able to get food (just moved, didn't have much time... Continue reading

  I moved to Austin, arriving the day before the first snowfall. I'll always remember two things about the main storm.

  The first is Austin Energy's communication style. They chose to communicate primarily through Twitter, which was increasingly hard to get to without power to charge a mobile device. They chose to say it'd be "rolling blackouts," and then revealed that they technically couldn't roll them. Yet, all of them are still employed.

  The second thing I'll remember is Mayor Adler. I was laying under 3 blankets, wondering how we'd be able to get food (just moved, didn't have much time to shop, roads weren't cleared, stores didn't have power either), holding my cell phone in one hand watching what was supposedly a Facebook live meeting with the city council and mayor (turns out, they were WebEx meetings streamed via Facebook- probably so the government didn't see our questions and comments). I wanted to hear how the situation was going to be resolved. I got zero answers.

  But, Mayor Adler was clearly warm, and his artwork was still nicely lit. It was a very "let them eat cake" kind of moment- so I took a screenshot, which is shown below. I wanted to always remember what kind of leader he was, even when I was warm and the freeze was forgotten.

  I was lucky, ultimately. I was indoors. Our plumbing never failed. We were able to get to a hotel on the third day, and the hotel had power.

  Others were not as lucky. The cold made pipes burst, and somehow our water system failed in a matter of hours. People are probably still cleaning up, three months later.

  To me, then, this storm was about being lucky, and watching a government fail completely. It failed due to the arrogance of people like Mayor Adler, and the incompetence of people like those who manage Austin Energy.

  It's unfortunate. I hope the end of this story- which isn't written yet- is that we vote them all out of office. That's the only solution, because they're all so busy dodging responsibility that nothing will actually get fixed.

  If we can't do that, well, here's hoping someday someone will read these stories and see exactly what a failed government looks like.
• Share "Silence of the Landlords" by the 9500 Tenants Association on Facebook Share "Silence of the Landlords" by the 9500 Tenants Association on Twitter Share "Silence of the Landlords" by the 9500 Tenants Association on Linkedin Email "Silence of the Landlords" by the 9500 Tenants Association link

  "Silence of the Landlords" by the 9500 Tenants Association

  by 9500TA, almost 5 years ago
  

  
  

  In the wake of Winter Storm Uri, many of the residents were without water for close to 4 weeks. Many of us went to the 9500 Apartments office that Monday, February 22, 2021 for answers. Our concerns went unanswered, with non-answers to our in-person questions, unanswered emails, no response to certified letters, no returned phone calls to messages left on voicemail, and a disconnected business line. Here are their accounts:

  
  

  (You can see the full accounts with pictures here)

  
  

  In the wake of Winter Storm Uri, many of the residents were without water for close to 4 weeks. Many of us went to the 9500 Apartments office that Monday, February 22, 2021 for answers. Our concerns went unanswered, with non-answers to our in-person questions, unanswered emails, no response to certified letters, no returned phone calls to messages left on voicemail, and a disconnected business line. Here are their accounts:

  
  

  (You can see the full accounts with pictures here)
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  Aquarium Trade

  by Paul.Moore, almost 5 years ago

  I lost thousands of dollars in coral and fish. Not just myself but, thousands of Austinites slowly watched our coral reefs melt and poison our fish. I had no power for 4 days. I had just split several Rose Bubble Tip Anemones and lost them all. My small business is ruined economically and I won't recover from this.

  I lost thousands of dollars in coral and fish. Not just myself but, thousands of Austinites slowly watched our coral reefs melt and poison our fish. I had no power for 4 days. I had just split several Rose Bubble Tip Anemones and lost them all. My small business is ruined economically and I won't recover from this.
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  Bedridden friends

  by pvanbavel, almost 5 years ago
  We had two friends who were bedridden during the storm. One was chronically stuck in bed and we knew about her. the other we knew was ill but she became unable to care for herself during the storm.

  The first lady, we got to her after a day of no power by chainsawing fallen trees off of the driveway and driving three blocks to deliver food and water. Her normal caregivers were unable to travel. On a good note there-- we called 911 and police and firemen did wellness checks. She did OK.

  The second lady had a recent cancer... Continue reading

  We had two friends who were bedridden during the storm. One was chronically stuck in bed and we knew about her. the other we knew was ill but she became unable to care for herself during the storm.

  The first lady, we got to her after a day of no power by chainsawing fallen trees off of the driveway and driving three blocks to deliver food and water. Her normal caregivers were unable to travel. On a good note there-- we called 911 and police and firemen did wellness checks. She did OK.

  The second lady had a recent cancer operation and didn't have a phone, or flashlight or water nearby. She just waited and didn't take her required medications. We didn't know it was that bad and couldn't call or drive. She ultimately had a stroke and is slowly recovering but probably has permanent damage.

  So, what needs to happen is a central registry of disabled persons with a proactive system to contact them during a disaster. And hospitals should place surgery patients on the list if only temporarily. People on that list need to be surveyed to make sure they have battery backups for communications. Batteries in the landline phones, backups for cellphones whatever. water and flashlights within reach.

  
  
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  Storm Poetry

  by marksmolen, almost 5 years ago

  I am part of an Austin poetry group and several of us wrote poems related to the storm and its aftermath. Here is mine:

  
  

  Innocence Lost

  
  

  They said:

  “Reduce your power consumption.”

  As if we could hope to steal

  a Promethean spark

  from the grid gods,

  smug in their unregulated hubris

  
  

  They said:

  “Boil your water.”

  As if we could magically

  conjure its unsolid version

  from frozen pipes

  not already broken and emptied

  
  

  They said:

  “Trust us.”

  As if a hell-frozen-over-Texas

  could ever inspire such fealty.

  Trust them?

  No, never again.

  I am part of an Austin poetry group and several of us wrote poems related to the storm and its aftermath. Here is mine:

  
  

  Innocence Lost

  
  

  They said:

  “Reduce your power consumption.”

  As if we could hope to steal

  a Promethean spark

  from the grid gods,

  smug in their unregulated hubris

  
  

  They said:

  “Boil your water.”

  As if we could magically

  conjure its unsolid version

  from frozen pipes

  not already broken and emptied

  
  

  They said:

  “Trust us.”

  As if a hell-frozen-over-Texas

  could ever inspire such fealty.

  Trust them?

  No, never again.
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  Significant gaps for older adults

  by atemperley, almost 5 years ago
  At the beginning of the storm, I was contacted by a colleague who said "what is happening in assisted living and retirement sites?" I did not know so I reached out to my network and by the end of the day I had received information on more than 30 sites- senior apartments, assisted living sites and retirement communities who were without water, electricity and in some situations food because their freezers were out or deliveries for food providers could not get through.

  
  

  I spent the next week working with my contacts and networks (personal and through the Aging Services Council)... Continue reading

  At the beginning of the storm, I was contacted by a colleague who said "what is happening in assisted living and retirement sites?" I did not know so I reached out to my network and by the end of the day I had received information on more than 30 sites- senior apartments, assisted living sites and retirement communities who were without water, electricity and in some situations food because their freezers were out or deliveries for food providers could not get through.

  
  

  I spent the next week working with my contacts and networks (personal and through the Aging Services Council) to mobilize individual volunteers as well as groups to meet these needs. Here are some of the biggest issues.
  
  

  1. These facilities were not networked with resources and did not know where to look for help. Most older adults did not have an emergency kit in their home.

  2. Senior apartment complexes are "independent living" but many of the individuals living there have aged in place and need assistance with many tasks. In some situations, the management literally left the building. They have no requirements to provide emergency support for those in their sites.

  3. Fire systems bursting due to freezing leaving many older adults not only cold and hungry but covered in cold water.

  4. Independent living sites recommending that seniors get water from the pool to boil but it wasn't safe to take the stairs down.

  5. At least 2 sites had to evacuate completely moving dozens of older adults to local churches where they slept on the floor for days with no ability to bathe.

  6. One site had their elevator go down with the electricity going out and older adults were trapped throughout the building.

  7. Older adults receiving home care, or hospice were often alone as they as not able to get to their clients.

  8. Older adults were battling whether to evacuate their homes to one of the community sites and face possibilities of covid or stay in their own home in the dark without food and water.

  9. One assisted living site actually called the police on volunteers who were trying to help.

  There were numerous stories of dire situations during this week. I am pleased to see that there are movements to put better plans together so we don't see this kind of heartache in the future.