Texas residents turned to social media this week with desperate pleas for assistance as uncharacteristically frigid winter weather caused frozen and burst pipes across the state along with indoor flooding, collapsed ceilings, food and fuel supply shortages, and widespread power outages. The Texas Department of Insurance was closed on Thursday, Feb. 18th, "due to the weather and power outages," and that closure included its helplines. The department's website provided anyone looking for insurance guidance with directions for filing a claim, tips for avoiding a scam, and resources for finding help, including Transitional Shelter Assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Analysis is likely to unfold for months over the exact causes of the state's apparent inability to respond more quickly to the storm as well as better protect its residents and businesses. Assigning liability may be equally dicey and potentially impact the Lone Star State's next elections cycle. The slideshow above illustrates some of the property damage and human suffering that unfolded in Texas this week in response to that state's worst winter storm in recent memory. Related: |

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