28 Died In Travis County During Winter Storm: Texas DSHS

Austin TX

14 July, 2021

2:25 PM

Description

TRAVIS COUNTY, TX — Twenty-eight people died in Travis County during February's record-breaking winter storm, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Of the total deaths reported in the state, most were confirmed to be associated with hypothermia while some included motor vehicle accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning, exacerbation of chronic illness, falls and fire, the state agency reported Wednesday. All of the confirmed deaths occurred between Feb. 11 and March 5. It is not clear what the cause of death was for the 28 who died in Travis County. According to the data, the county was the second highest in deaths reported across the state. Harris County topped with 48 deaths reported. Officials said DSHS disaster epidemiologists continue to reconcile information about causes of death. The winter storm related deaths were determined by three factors: when medical certifiers submit a DSHS form specifying that a particular death was related to a disaster, flag a death record as disaster related or when DSHS epidemiologists match public reports of disaster-related deaths to death certificates. The state agency said it is tracking deaths related to the February winter storms that affected Texas and posting data that is preliminary and subject to change. In total, 210 Texans died during the winter storm. In the Austin Metro, 28 died in Travis and four in Williamson Counties. DSHS reports the data is preliminary and subject to change as additional information is gathered and additional deaths are confirmed. RELATED COVERAGE: 4 Died In Williamson County During Winter Storm: Texas DSHS City of Austin Passes Ordinances For Winter Storm Recovery Austin Launches Website For Those Affected By Ice Storm Today Show's Al Roker Coming To Austin For Special On Ice Storm