Texas has been plunged into chaos after a winter cold snap saw temperatures plummet, emergency services pushed to the brink, and residents left without electricity and drinkable water.
It's a crisis not seen in years and people are understandably worried how long it will last and how bad it will get.
Which is why people were surprised and shocked when they saw Texas Senator Ted Cruz hopping on a plane to Mexico.
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He's talked passionately about his love for his state in the past and also criticised Democrats for not being on the ground when disaster strikes. Which, again, begged the question why the hell he was leaving Texas in its time of need.
Photos of the lawmaker donning a mask while trying to find his seat on the international flight to Cancun quickly circulated on social media and people were not happy.
Senator Cruz issued a statement on the matter and claimed it wasn't a holiday for him and his wife, but merely an opportunity to help his daughters.
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"Wanting to be a good dad, I flew down with them last night and am flying back this afternoon," Cruz wrote.
"My staff and I are in constant communication with state and local leaders to get to the bottom of what happened in Texas. We want our power back, our water on, and our homes warm."
After returning to the US amongst a throng of waiting media, Cruz has admitted that it probably wasn't the best idea to leave Texas when it needed him to be at the very least present.
"I didn't want all the screaming and yelling about this trip to distract even one moment from the real issues that I think Texans care about, which is keeping all of our families safe," Cruz said.
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"It was obviously a mistake, and in hindsight, I wouldn't have done it," he said.
At his press conference there were protestors who were calling for him to resign and there's a hashtag that has since gone viral.
Featured Image Credit: PA