Winter’s wrath deep in The heart of Texas

LOWELL » Among the reasons former Lowell resident George Kalergis decided to move to Texas was the promise of warm temperatures, sunny skies and having no need to own a snow shovel.

Kalergis and his wife have lived in the city of Magnolia — about 30 miles north of Houston — for the last decade. As expected, there hadn’t been any snow throughout their time there and if the winter temperatures drops into the 40s, Kalergis said that’s considered frigid in this part of the country.

“Well, I guess times are changing,” said the 79-year-old Vietnam War vet.

Winter’s wrath — just as Kalergis remembers it during his time in Massachusetts — blasted its way into Texas earlier this month, overwhelming the unprepared state’s electric grid, leaving millions without power and running water, and dozens dead.

During a phone call on Saturday, Kalergis — in a surprisingly chipper tone — painted a mental picture of what it was like at his home a couple days after the deadly winter storm brutalized the Friendship State: Stunned and cold, wearing three layers of clothes while shivering in front of the fireplace, Kalergis and his wife sat inside their home, with no electricity and busted water pipes that left no running water.

This was a common scene across Texas.

“We hadn’t had snow in 10 years,” Kalergis said, “and all the sudden we have a blizzard and 9-degree temperatures.”

The electricity was back on in the house a few days after losing power, but there’s still no running water inside the home. With plumbers in high demand throughout the area, Kalergis said he couldn’t book an appointment with one until March 12.

“Hey, I went a year in Vietnam without a bath, so it ain’t so bad,” Kalergis chuckled.

Despite his positive outlook, his concerns are real.

Kalergis — the cousin of City Councilor and former Lowell Mayor William Samaras — shared a video that shows water pouring from light fixtures and heating vents around his home, escaping from the freeze-damaged pipes in the walls. The big concern is if the water damage has destroyed the home.

Kalergis lived in Lowell at different periods, and was born in the city. His aunt, Pat, was in nursing at Lowell Gen

Courtesy Kalergis Family From left, george Kalergis, mary lee Kalergis, his wife, son demetrius Kalergis, son-in-law brantley Ferris, and daughter Hailee Ferris in magnolia, texas.

PHOTO courtesy OF brantley FARRIS Former lowell resident george Kalergis’ daughter Hailee Farris and his grandson dazen Farris outside in the remains of the winter storm that struck the city of magnolia, texas.