{
  "id": "2021-02-14-texas-am-university-winter-storm-uri",
  "slug": "texas-am-university-winter-storm-uri-2021-02-14",
  "institution": {
    "name": "Texas A&M University",
    "shortName": "Texas A&M",
    "state": "TX",
    "type": "public-r1",
    "alertSystemName": "Code Maroon",
    "enrollment": 72000
  },
  "incident": {
    "date": "2021-02-14",
    "endDate": "2021-02-19",
    "type": "winter-storm",
    "cleryCategory": "emergency-notification",
    "headline": "An arena opens as a warming center sheltering more than 70 people during a winter storm",
    "headlinePublic": "An arena opens as a warming center sheltering more than 70 people during a winter storm",
    "summary": "[Winter Storm Uri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_13%E2%80%9317,_2021_North_American_winter_storm) struck Texas in mid-February 2021, causing catastrophic power grid failures statewide. Texas A&M [canceled classes on February 17-18](https://today.tamu.edu/2021/02/18/aggies-answer-the-call-for-help-during-historic-storm/) due to ice, power outages, and loss of WiFi. The university [opened Reed Arena as a warming center](https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2021/02/16/reed-arena-to-open-as-warming-center-at-4-p-m/) on February 16, sheltering over 70 community residents and students. Campus residents were asked to avoid showers and laundry due to critically low water levels.",
    "outcome": "Reed Arena warming center sheltered over 70 residents from February 16-19. Classes canceled February 17-18. Hundreds of Corps of Cadets members searched campus buildings for pipe leaks. Water conservation measures imposed on campus residents.",
    "resolution": "confirmed-threat"
  },
  "alerts": [
    {
      "sequence": 1,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2021-02-16T15:27:53-06:00",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "A warming center at Reed Arena will open at 4p.m. today through noon on Thursday, Feb. 18 for individuals & families in the community impacted by power outages. \n\nFull details: http://tx.ag/WarmingCenter #tamu",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/TAMU/status/1361789421763313666",
      "sourceDescription": "@TAMU on X (verbatim)",
      "annotations": [
        "Exact text from Texas A&M University official X account during Winter Storm Uri."
      ],
      "characterCount": 209
    },
    {
      "sequence": 2,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2021-02-17T11:25:12-06:00",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "While the Memorial Student will remain closed today due to inclement weather, Reed Arena is still open to those seeking warmth. #tamu",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/TAMU/status/1362090736225714179",
      "sourceDescription": "@TAMU on X (official, verbatim)",
      "annotations": [
        "Exact text from Texas A&M University official X account during Winter Storm Uri."
      ],
      "characterCount": 133
    },
    {
      "sequence": 3,
      "type": "update",
      "timestamp": "2021-02-18T09:07:40-06:00",
      "channel": "twitter-x",
      "verbatimText": "The warming center at Reed Arena has extended hours of operation until noon on Friday, Feb. 19 for individuals & families in the community seeking warmth. \n\nFull details: http://tx.ag/ReedWarming #tamu",
      "isVerbatimConfirmed": true,
      "sourceUrl": "https://x.com/TAMU/status/1362418512908713987",
      "sourceDescription": "@TAMU on X (verbatim)",
      "annotations": [
        "Exact text from Texas A&M University official X account during Winter Storm Uri."
      ],
      "characterCount": 201
    }
  ],
  "context": "[Winter Storm Uri](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_13%E2%80%9317,_2021_North_American_winter_storm) caused a catastrophic failure of the Texas power grid in February 2021, leaving millions without electricity and water for days in below-freezing temperatures. The [Texas Tribune reported](https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/18/texas-universities-power-outages-dorms/) that university dormitories across the state descended into chaos, with dwindling food supplies, flooded hallways from burst pipes, and non-functioning toilets. At Texas A&M, the university [opened Reed Arena as a warming center](https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2021/02/16/reed-arena-to-open-as-warming-center-at-4-p-m/) on February 16, sheltering over 70 community residents. [Texas A&M Today reported](https://today.tamu.edu/2021/02/18/aggies-answer-the-call-for-help-during-historic-storm/) that hundreds of Corps of Cadets members answered an urgent call to search campus buildings for water leaks, while another group assisted with food distribution at Reed Arena. The storm's impact on Texas A&M was part of a statewide crisis that affected all 254 Texas counties.",
  "keyFindings": [
    "The conversion of Reed Arena from a basketball venue to a community warming center demonstrates how university facilities can serve as critical emergency infrastructure during regional disasters",
    "The Corps of Cadets mobilization to search buildings for water leaks illustrates how student organizations can provide organized emergency labor during campus crises",
    "The instruction for students to avoid showers and laundry during a multi-day winter storm highlights how infrastructure failures cascade from power to water to basic habitability"
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "title": "Aggies Answer The Call For Help During Historic Storm - Texas A&M Today",
      "url": "https://today.tamu.edu/2021/02/18/aggies-answer-the-call-for-help-during-historic-storm/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "Reed Arena To Open As Warming Center At 4 P.M. - Texas A&M Today",
      "url": "https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2021/02/16/reed-arena-to-open-as-warming-center-at-4-p-m/",
      "type": "official-archive"
    },
    {
      "title": "Dwindling food, flooded halls, unflushable toilets: Texas university dorms - Texas Tribune",
      "url": "https://www.texastribune.org/2021/02/18/texas-universities-power-outages-dorms/",
      "type": "local-media"
    },
    {
      "title": "Reed Arena warming center to remain open through noon Friday - The Eagle",
      "url": "https://theeagle.com/news/a_m/reed-arena-warming-center-to-remain-open-through-noon-friday/article_6bcf4702-71f9-11eb-bd71-cb2261d71017.html",
      "type": "local-media"
    },
    {
      "title": "February 13-17, 2021 North American winter storm - Wikipedia",
      "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/February_13%E2%80%9317,_2021_North_American_winter_storm",
      "type": "other"
    },
    {
      "title": "@TAMU X cascade — Reed Arena warming center, Winter Storm Uri",
      "url": "https://x.com/TAMU/status/1361789421763313666",
      "type": "official-social"
    },
    {
      "url": "https://x.com/TAMU/status/1362418512908713987",
      "title": "@TAMU on X",
      "type": "official-archive",
      "dateAccessed": "2026-07-18"
    },
    {
      "title": "@TAMU on X (official, verbatim)",
      "url": "https://x.com/TAMU/status/1362090736225714179",
      "type": "official-archive"
    }
  ],
  "confidence": "high",
  "tags": [
    "winter-storm",
    "weather",
    "emergency-notification",
    "texas",
    "winter-storm-uri",
    "power-outage",
    "warming-center",
    "water-shortage",
    "corps-of-cadets",
    "campus-closure",
    "infrastructure-failure"
  ],
  "dateAdded": "2026-04-04",
  "lastUpdated": "2026-07-19",
  "addedBy": "ingestion"
}