In February 2021, the Texas power grid suddenly failed – leaving many people without heat in a freezing cold they weren't used to – and some without light or water for days. Most Texans didn't have warm-weather clothing. They couldn't get gas because gas stations run on electricity. Grocery stores were closed. The power grid outage showed the risks all Americans face when – not if – the grid goes down from a solar flare expected at any time now. It could be the next week or in 50 years.

How Texas' power grid failed in 2021 — and who's responsible for preventing a repeat

What Really Happened During the Texas Power Grid Outage? 3/23/21

When disaster strikes, the flurry of political positioning and finger-pointing can make it difficult to understand what really happened. This video provides a summary of the facts of the 2021 Texas winter storm. This February of 2021, a major winter storm made its way through the U.S. central plains, setting all-time records for low temperatures across the country.

One of the biggest impacts of the storm happened here in Texas where people across the state suffered extended outages of electricity and water. It was one of the worst winter weather events in history, creating loss-of-life and economic impacts that will take years to unfold. Many are still recovering from the storm and will be for years to come.