Residents Take Action to Protect Pipes
Tuesday night’s hard freeze prompted many Corpus Christi residents to take swift action to protect their homes. Homeowner Mike Baird shared how he prepared:
“Oh, I did [drip during the freeze]. I have a rented house a few doors down,” Baird said. “It dripped there, too, and I opened cabinet doors and pre-insulated all the pipes I could. We’ve had pipes bust in our rare freeze occasions.”
Baird has lived in the city for over a decade and has learned from previous experiences. “I don’t take any chances when it comes to freezing-cold weather,” he added.
City Officials Praise Preparedness
The freezing temperatures coincided with Stage 3 water restrictions, raising concerns about increased water usage. However, Corpus Christi Water Chief Operating Officer Drew Molly reported a manageable 10% rise in demand.
“There’s naturally an increase in demand when people drip their faucets, and that’s understandable,” Molly said. “There were no issues to speak of. The duration of the cold and lack of citywide power outages helped minimize the impact.”
Maintaining water pressure is one of the city’s biggest worries during past freezes. Molly credited clear communication and community efforts for avoiding overwhelming demand this time.
Reservoir Levels and Water Main Breaks
Despite the freeze, another concern was the effect of increased water usage on lake levels. Currently, the combined reservoir storage for Choke Canyon and Lake Corpus Christi is at 18.8%, with Choke Canyon experiencing its lowest levels ever.
“Choke Canyon has never dropped this low in its entire existence, except during its initial filling,” Molly emphasized, highlighting the importance of conserving water.
On a positive note, the city reported only one water main break during the freeze, which helped avoid significant disruptions.
Adapting to Winter Challenges
As the city managed its water supply, residents like Baird were also focused on saving their plants. While some greenery may not survive the freeze, Baird has learned to adapt:
“I’ve learned I can hack them off, and they’ll grow out of the middle. I guess they’re sturdier than me at my age,” he said with a laugh.