Texans watched as the fresh snow stuck to the ground and slowly added up. Amazement glossed in their eyes as the white powder glistened. No one was prepared for the life threatening events soon to follow.

The first batch of ice began to freeze over the ground Feb. 11. The following day, per superintendent Chane Rascoe, students stayed home and learned virtually. As the days passed, Rascoe monitored the weather conditions and moved school from virtual to cancelled altogether for the week of Feb. 15 because citizens were experiencing loss of power and busted water pipes. 

“I never expected it to get as bad as it did,” junior Emma Lightfoot said. “When my power went out, I was astonished, and honestly, scared.”

Many students said that winter storm alerts blew up their phones, as well as warnings and tips about how not to get hypothermia and how to prepare for loss of power and water during single digit temperatures. 

“My dad is on bed rest and I was worried we wouldn’t be able to take care of him,” Lightfoot said. “When things seemed good at home, one of my friends allowed me to practically move in with her so I could have power.”

Teachers sent out emails and Canvas alerts about how they would be unable to grade work and how they would be behind due to losing power and access to the internet or technology chargers. 

“I had lost power on the second day of the storm and it didn’t come back on for several days,” senior Brandi Straley said. “Finally I was able to leave my house to go stay with a friend about 12 hours after my house started to drop temperature.” 

As power outages continued for hours or days at a time, buildings and houses were unable to hold in much heat. 

“It wasn’t even 24 hours after I was at my friend Libbi’s house before she also lost power,” Straley said. “I honestly didn’t know what to do in this situation. We piled blankets onto us to stay warm and just tried to pass time.”

Students and teachers did not expect to lose power, nor were they prepared for the roads and weather to get so drastically bad in this central Texas town where temperatures rarely fall below freezing. 

“I left my house to go to my grandma’s because I needed power,” junior Lizzie Bennett said. “My mom didn’t let us go anywhere after that because we were sliding everywhere on the road.”

Many relied on close friends and family for electricity, warmth and water.  

“I knew the weather was supposed to be bad that week, but I didn’t ever expect it to be as bad in Texas as it was,” Bennett said. “I honestly believe I would still be unprepared if this ever happens again. My condolences go out for anyone who was drastically affected by the situation and for the people that lost their lives.”