Student welcomes loved ones during storm
By Brittany Tyra
Last week the people of San Antonio lived through electrical and water outages and inability to find food after a bizarre snowstorm. Locals wondered how they would make February rent or pay bills, losing a week’s worth of wages.
Texas A&M University-San Antonio biology senior Celeste Aguilar talked about her experience during this crisis.
After hearing the news of the snowstorm arriving, Aguilar and her family made sure to prepare by going to the grocery store to get essentials.
“There were no sandwich supplies, eggs and many other foods were hard to find,” Aguilar said.
Aguilar said she was thankful that her family had prepared as well as the fact her mother taught her to cook at a young age. The majority of restaurants closed, and driving anywhere was a huge risk. Aguilar and her mother made tacos, noodles and other meals.
Aguilar’s family were very fortunate compared to others and did not lose power or water. Aguilar let family and friends know she was more than happy to welcome those who needed food and showers. However due to icy roads only a few cousins and grandparents were able to come.
Aguilar said the biggest project after the storm was cleaning out her grandmother’s refrigerator after all food had rotted when the electricity went out.
“It smelled so bad,” Aguilar said. “We had to buy her a new one.”
Aguilar said the unbelievable weather crisis made her appreciate her family and friends as well as be better prepared for future situations, motivating her to buy a generator which she purchased at Home Depot.
Lecturer’s apartment floods during storm
By Nathaniel Gutierrez
Campus English lecturer offered a perspective for life, following the challenges he endured during the city’s mid-February freeze.
Curt Meyer, who relies on a wheelchair for daily tasks, said in a Zoom interview Feb. 27 that his apartment flooded. The flooding was caused by faulty pipes in his ceiling.
Meyer vacated his apartment for a few days, leaving behind his prescribed medication. He stayed in another person’s apartment.
Yet, as witnessed across the city, neighbors came together and helped Meyer, providing water and even food to accommodate his vegan diet.
Following a South Texas freeze, Meyer said he shared a perspective with his students.
“Old assumptions need not apply,” Meyer said. “If there’s something in your life, you aren’t satisfied, you have an opportunity to reset.”
Although Meyer had no access to water in his apartment for about a week, his power was always on, Amazon delivered him water after his return home and he had money saved for electronics damaged in the flood.
“I am quite fortunate,” Meyer said. “Many of our students are in a precarious position.”
For those still in need following the storm’s repercussions, contact the city emergency resource call center at 210-207-6000.
