Without advance warning about the true scale of power outages and the risks of carbon monoxide poisoning, local officials say they were caught off guard, leaving residents to fend for themselves.
Poor energy efficiency and weatherization standards in Southern states made it even harder for people to stay warm and safe.
Renters in Texas are suing state and federal agencies, alleging their policies have had a “disparate impact on minority households.”
Nonprofits and volunteers are working to preserve African American cultural and historic sites vulnerable to flooding and other environmental threats.