By David K. Li -
NBC News
A water main break in West Texas has left the 165,000 residents of the city of Odessa and surrounding areas with little or no water for 48 hours, according to local authorities, as an extreme heat wave hits the Southwest of the country.
There is an "imminent threat" of "serious damage, injury, or loss of life or property" in the oil town due to a "main water line failure," read a disaster declaration issued by Ector County this week. Tuesday.
"The lack of potable water supply is expected to last 48 hours at this time
," the statement said.
Odessa, Texas pipeline under repair. City of Odessa
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed state agencies to help coordinate the local response to restore the water supply.
The pipeline rupture couldn't have come at a worse time for Odessa, as residents face a summer heat wave that reached 100 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday;
and 98° Fahrenheit this Wednesday;
and 96° Fahrenheit is forecast for Thursday.
[Authorities recommend avoiding outdoor activities due to extreme heat wave]
Crews are working to repair the break in the subsurface just below the intersection of 42nd and San Jacinto streets, according to a city news release.
Despite workers' efforts, the city said repairs
are "taking longer than anticipated
. "
“The water levels have reached such a low point that it has been recommended to start boiling the water.
Significant loss of water pressure and/or no water at all is expected.
A significant portion of the community remains without water at this time,” the statement added.
Extreme weather is hitting much of the country.
So you can protect yourself from its effects
June 14, 202201:16
Those caring for children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems
should pay special attention to the boil water order
, local officials said.
"To ensure the destruction of all harmful bacteria and other microbes, water for drinking, cooking and making ice must be boiled and cooled before it is used for drinking or human consumption," another city statement said.
[Dangerous fires rage in parts of California and Arizona]
Tammy Henken, 47, a mother of seven in Odessa, chuckled at authorities' advice to boil water.
"How can we boil water that we don't have?"
Henken wondered.
She hopes to get through the 48 hours without water with the help of some friends who still had supplies because they were not affected by the broken pipe, and with water from the well that is where her husband works, outside Odessa.
“And I use this as an opportunity to help my children learn how to trust God,” Henken added.
Desperate families due to lack of water in Nuevo León, Mexico
June 12, 202201:46
Bottled water is distributed at three locations: McKinney Park, Ector County Coliseum, and the intersection of West University Boulevard and Farm to Market Road (FM) 1936 in West Odessa.
Hospitals and retirement homes are receiving emergency water supplies, said state Rep. Brooks Landgraf, R-Odessa.
"I know this is a frustrating time for our community," he
said in a statement.
Odessa, located more than 350 miles west of Dallas on Interstate 20, is best known for the nonfiction book Friday Night Lights by author Buzz Bissinger, which deals with the city's relationship with American football. prepratorian
The book led to a movie and an acclaimed NBC television show of the same name.
