Thousands still without power, water in Texas

Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale opened doors of his Gallery Furniture stores around Houston during Hurricane Harvey for people to seek shelter and he's doing again during a catastrophic cold snap and winter storm that's brought Texas to its knees.

Power outs lasting longer than 24 hours are forcing people to seek warmth. "Mattress Mack's" stores have back up generators and a place for weary to sleep.

Tina Rios, Eric Bennis and ir three children drove in from Channel View area of Houston after ir trailer home park lost power.

"In trailer re's insulation or anything like that, so it's cold over re," Rios said.

Bennis was thankful family had a warm place to shelter until power comes back on.

"So it's a good thing that 'Mattress Mack' does this, because like she said, we would be at home freezing right w," Bennis added.

McIngvale turned two of his locations into warming centers complete with food, coffee and blankets.

Houstonians kw furniture baron for his quirky ad campaigns and his sometimes boastful Super Bowl bets, but he's also remembered for opening his stores for those in need during times of crisis.

"That's what we do, we all have a responsibility for well being of community and we think this is our responsibility," McIngvale said.

He said more than 300 people slept in rth Houston location overnight and he expects more.

Yvonne Woolard and her daughter had power up until early Wednesday morning.  She works in energy industry and is frustrated that state is mired in power outs.

"You kw y decided t to winterize our plants, so everything is failing," Woolard said. "Something has to be done, somebody has to be held accountable."

Because of storm and cold, worst U.S. power outs were in Texas, affecting more than 2 million homes and businesses.

More than 250,000 people also lost power across parts of Appalachia, and ar 200,000 were without electricity following an ice storm in rthwest Oregon, according to powerout.us, which tracks utility out reports. Four million people lost power in Mexico.

Texas officials requested 60 generators from Federal Emergency Manment ncy and planned to prioritize hospitals and nursing homes.

state opened 35 shelters to more than 1,000 occupants, ncy said.

More than 500 people sought comfort at one Houston shelter. Mayor Sylvester Turner said or warming centers were closed because y lost power.

Im: AP