FINAL ESTIMATE OF WINTER STORM URI DEATHS IN TEXAS LISTED AT 246

  

Texas added 36 more deaths from Winter Storm Uri in the state’s final report on last February’s natural disaster.

According to the report released Friday by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS), an estimated 246 people across 77 counties died between February 11, 2021 and June 4, 2021, up from the previous estimate of 210 in July.

The number includes people who suffered winter storm-related injuries during the storm and later died, as well as people whose bodies were discovered after the storm and during repairs of damaged homes.

According to the report, victims ranged in age from less than one year old to 102 years old, with 100 deaths reported in victims between 60 and 79 years old.  Approximately 161 of the deaths were from extreme cold exposure-related injuries, including 158 from hypothermia and three from frostbite.

No winter storm deaths were reported in Washington County, but Brazos, Fayette and Lee counties each reported one death.  Harris County reported the most deaths at 43, followed by Travis County at 28 and Dallas County at 22.

DSHS said it identified deaths using mortality surveillance forms, death certificates and verification of informally reported deaths.