2/17/2021 12:03 pm
UPDATE:
The Marlin Water Plant remains DOWN. We are all without water. Water crews continue to work to locate needed material to make the repairs to get our water restored. Many shops are closed due to the weather and those who are willing to assist have depleted resources due to other cities having the same or similar issues. Our staff are continuing to sacrifice their safety, physical and emotional health, and families to ensure that Marlin citizens have needed resources. We ask for continued patience as we navigate more yet uncharted waters. We reached out to TDEM and HEB Regional on Sunday and yesterday, for water, and NO ONE is moving supply trucks due to the weather. We are recommending, “if you are able to safely do so, please turn off your water valve. Doing this may prevent your home or business’s water lines from rupturing when water service is restored. It will also aid in replenishing our city’s elevated water tanks.” This was recommended to the residents of Thornton and is being shared with all of you. When water is restored, you will need to BOIL it until cleared by TCEQ.
Per our Fire Chief and Emergency Management Official, a request was made to the State Operations Center (SOC) for bottled water. He was informed that the request will likely NOT be filled immediately due to countless cities, large and small, experiencing the same issue. The SOC coordinates with public, private, and corporate entities (including Red Cross, HEB, Walmart, etc.) to locate needed resources to distribute to communities. The help we received from TXDOT to get the generator to Marlin was requested through this means. Requests for resources for this community was started on Wednesday of last week and cots and blankets were received. No city was provided with water reserves. Sadly, there is currently no immediate help available for water due to road conditions. Emergency management personnel have already begun working on a demobilization plan which includes an after-action review to discuss what happened and what measures need to be initiated so that we are better prepared in the event we encounter something of this magnitude in the future.
Roads and outdoor surfaces are EXTREMELY SLICK. Avoid driving and going outdoors if possible. Roads that were safe yesterday are very dangerous today. Please be careful if you have to venture out.
Following my conversation with the South Regional Manager for ONCOR yesterday, power was restored to the citizens of East and South Marlin who have been without since Sunday. While this may be minimal progress to some, it was major progress for those who were suffering.
The State of Texas is FROZEN. What is occurring to each of us is beyond ANYONE’S control. Many other cities do not have major repair issues and still have no water because it is FROZEN. State, Federal, County, and local jurisdictions have been working tirelessly to try and manage what is occurring in the State of Texas. It has been declared a STATEWIDE DISASTER. It is “unprecedented” which means there is no blueprint for anyone to use to know the exact steps to rectify situations that have never occurred before. This was an act of God and we are powerless to His might. We can only do what we as humans know to do, but at the end of the day, God is in total control. Please continue to be patient as we get through this crisis together. Praying for each of you and praying God has mercy on us all. Stay safe. Stay warm.
Hon. Mayor Carolyn Lofton