Also, while we knew the storm would be difficult for us in Texas because we are simply no set up to deal with harsh winter conditions, particularly in south Texas; no one was expecting the power failures we have had. The failure of the electric grid was not predicted by anybody. Sure, we thought there would be some downed power lines, but there was very little of that.
I have been hearing of carbon monoxide poisoning because people got in their cars and started them to use the heater and apparently did not open their garage doors and were poisoned. There were deaths from fires caused by either candles or space heaters. But people have not been freezing to death.
I did see a story of a family with a little preemy baby that needed oxygen and the lack of power was keeping his parents from running the machine that converts air to oxygen. I hope he makes it.
The BBQ pit thing I heard on at least two news reports here in Houston, along with warnings to stop doing that.