Tim Boyd, the mayor of Colorado City, has resigned amid an extreme winter storm that has killed more than 20 people across the United States and left millions without power in Texas. In a deleted Facebook post, Boyd asked citizens to “get off your a** and take care of your own family!” 

He said “I’m sick and tired of people looking for a damn handout!” and told people to “come up with a game plan.”

“No one owes you or your family anything; nor is it the local government’s responsibility to support you during trying times like this! Sink or swim, it’s your choice! The City and County, along with power providers or any other service owes you NOTHING!,” Boyd added in the post.

Also Read: Power outage, winter storm hit US

The United States is currently suffering from multiple power outages. This has left millions of Americans to fend for themselves without any means to keep themselves warm. A dangerous storm has taken over large parts of the US and even extended to Mexico. 

Power companies in Texas have resorted to employing rolling blackouts to avoid electricity grids from being overloaded, leaving people without any electricity for days. This comes after people actively started using their electric heaters due to the extreme cold. 

Also Read: Rolling blackouts to be initiated in midwestern US amid energy shortage

The Arctic weather system — which has seen temperatures plummet to record-setting lows in places ill-prepared for such conditions — has overwhelmed local utility companies, infuriating residents left to huddle under coats and blankets and fend for themselves. Nearly three million people have been adversely affected by this, as per the Poweroutage.us tracker

Wes Wolfe, a newswriter from Lake Jackson, Texas took to Twitter and said, “Spending my second night without power during the coldest weather in Southeast Texas in more than 30 years.”

Approximately 35 warming centers have been opened across Texas by the American Red Cross. 

Many people have died due to extremely cold weather conditions. As per the National Weather Service (NWS), nearly 71% of the continental US was covered in snow. Nearly 20 deaths have been reported since last week.

“In the areas that contend with these devastating ice accumulations, residents can expect dangerous travel conditions, numerous power outages, and extensive tree damage,” the NWS said.

At Primarily Primates, a wildlife sanctuary near San Antonio, Texas, several animals reportedly died when staff were unable to warm them after the facility lost power Monday.

Three homeless people succumbed to the cold weather and passed away while one person died of carbon monoxide poisoning from the heater in their residence.