69 deaths, 44 hours of freezing, $18 billion in damage: This week's winter storm, by the numbers

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Freezing people wrapped in blankets. Shoppers navigating grocery stores with flashlights. Long lines for clean, bottled water: Images from Texas gave the world a glimpse of the historic impact and devastation from this week's winter storm.

WATCH: TDEM to distribute 3 million bottles of water by end of the day

"As a local government, we're going to have to get a lot better," TDEM Chief Nim Kidd said.

These numbers, however, provide another perspective, painting a picture of the true cost of the state's deep freeze -- physically, emotionally and financially.

This week's winter storm, by the numbers:

Coldest recorded temperature this week: 13 degrees on Feb. 16

Longest stretch of freezing temperatures: 44 consecutive hours from 6:53 p.m. Sunday to 1:53 p.m. Tuesday

Number of consecutive days 45 degrees or colder: 8 (longest since January 1940)

Normal average temperature on Feb. 15 in Houston: 56.4

Average temperature Feb, 15, 2021: 20.5 (difference of 35.9 degrees)

Deaths blamed for extreme cold across the U.S.: 69

Power outages reported during the storm's peak: About 4.3 million

Percentage of Texas' power grid operated by ERCOT: 90%

Number of people who spent the night at Mattress Mack's Gallery Furniture Tuesday: 300

Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale spoke exclusively to "Good Morning America" anchor and Houston native Michael Strahan about opening his furniture store as a shelter.

Estimated cost of insured damage from freeze: $18 billion (according to a preliminary estimate from the risk-modeling firm Karen Clark & Company)

Walmarts closed nationwide on Tuesday: Approx. 500, most in Texas

CVS stores closed on Tuesday: About 775

Residents in counties that reported weather-related operational disruptions: 14.9 million

Number of Texas counties with affected public water systems: 159 of 254

Average daily animal cruelty calls to Houston SPCA: 25-30

Average daily animal cruelty calls to Houston SPCA last week: 150

Increase in fires during week of winter storm : 187%

MORE: Here's how you can help Texans in need

Everywhere you turn, it seems like there's someone who is without the help they need to get through this recovery. Here's how you can give a hand.

Sources: The Associated Press, CNN, the New York Times, the National Weather Service and KTRK-TV.