Although cold temperatures eased Thursday, the arctic front that gripped the region earlier this week continued to make its presence felt, with Entergy customers asked to conserve power and Port Arthur students sent home early because of a "pipe break parade" experienced throughout Southeast Texas.
Port Arthur ISD sent students from all 15 schools home before lunch, district spokeswoman Kristyn Cathey said.
Students whose parents weren’t able to pick them up were given bottled water and food at school, then bused home at the normal release time.
"It’s a situation where we know we’re going to have to make up some days."
Hamshire-Fannett ISD considered releasing middle and high school students early after the high school building lost its water supply, Superintendent Dwaine Augustine said.
However, water was restored to the building early Thursday morning, and students operated on a normal schedule.
The Mauriceville Municipal Utility District issued a boil notice after losing water pressure on Wednesday night.
A water distribution site was set up at the Orange County Convention and Expo Center.
At Charlton-Pollard Elementary School in Beaumont, low water pressure caused students to move to South Park Middle School in the middle of the day.
Entergy requested that customers voluntarily reduce their power consumption from 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Thursday, according to Entergy Texas spokeswoman Kacee Kirschvink.