大俠行天下日記 我見我聞我思 02/22

我見 我思 我聞

德州人 我們大家以牛仔精神挺住

在過去一週的酷寒日子中, 世界能源之都休斯敦及二千七百萬美國人口第二大州德州佔據了全球媒體之版面。

由於冰雪風暴之來襲，造成供電系統中斷，有近一千多萬居民無水、無電，近六十多位州民因凍而死，醫療機構因停水缺电被迫遷移病人，使用氧氣管的老人因無电源而窒息，家中有許多孩童的家長已經近一個星期沒水，全州各大主要幹道公路被封，這真是個悲慘的世界。

拜登總統已經宣布德州進入重大災難狀態，立即批准更多的聯邦資金援助災，他也將於近日前來休斯敦探視災情。

經過一星期的酷寒和斷電，德州今天已經全面恢復供水及電力 但是數百萬家庭仍然處於水管破裂之窘境，全州之水電工嚴重短缺。

德州近十年來遭受到多次水災，龍捲風也是經常光顧，這一年來，新冠病毒之肆虐，如今又面對百年來罕見之雪災、水患，對德州人说來，這是歷史上空前之挑戰。所幸我們見到無數守望相助雪中送碳的溫暖畫面，包括拜登總統下令全面緊急救助（請大家立即上网或電話聯邦救災局www.Disaster Assistance .gov 訪問FEMA 或電話800-621-3362 查詢）。

我們今天大家共同攀爬過了一座山，又要面臨一條水势兇猛的大河，我們只有手牽手，同舟共濟，德州人，我們一定要挺住，以一股堅毅的牛仔精神，戰勝未來。

Texans Shall Overcome Together

After a devastating week for all Texans, finally, we have some relief.

The temperature on Sunday continued to warm, reaching into the 60’s and 70’s --much closer to the normal temperatures at this time of the year.

In last week’s brutal winter storm, millions of homes lost power forcing families to huddle together in front of fireplaces and spend the night in their cars, while others spent many cold hours searching for food on fast-emptying grocery shelves. The frigid temperatures caused pipes to burst and led to water disruptions for half of the state’s population.

Winter temperatures across the state are historically low, and in Dallas, sometimes dip to as low as 5 degrees. Some people this year have died of carbon monoxide poisoning after running their cars in their home garages. 

President Biden has already declared much of Texas a major disaster area. His action makes federal funding available to communities across 77 counties, including the hard hit area of Harris County. The White House said that the president is eager to go down to Texas and show his support.

In the last ten years we as Texans have faced so many challenges including the Harvey hurricane and many other natural disasters. Especially in this coronavirus pandemic time, this severe winter storm really has tested the strength of our community.

Fortunately, all Texans are working together. Our tough “get it done spirit” will overcome our tragedies. Let’s continue to hold our hands together brothers and sisters.