Odessans flock to accommodations after properties lose energy

ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) –

Many Odessans try hard to find a warm place to stay overnight.

Of course, that’s easier said than done.

“Everyone has been calling non-stop for the past two hours,” said Daisy Sanchez, a Best Western Plus front desk clerk. “The phone didn’t stop ringing. I only made one reservation at a time. “

In Best Western, 191 people called all day and booked every room before noon.

Nichole Bass called just in time.

“She told me I still had a room and it’s a two-bed and I said give it to me,” said Bass with a laugh.

Bass was awash with relief after she said the power supply in her West Odessa home had been on and off for days.

If she and her children had to spend another night at home, it would be a long night.

The last time she checked it was 42 degrees inside.

“I’m pretty sure we need to use all of the blankets we have in the house,” said Bass.

Anyone looking for a hotel today likely saw a deal that popped their eyes: a 2.5-star hotel at the Days Inn that charges a staggering $ 999 a night.

Well that’s more than you think.

In reality, the inn is currently not booking any rooms at all that day because they lost power.

The general manager said he couldn’t remove the hotel from online booking sites, so he raised the price so no one would waste their time driving out just to find a dark building.

“I had no choice but to avoid people coming this way and save their time coming this way,” said Parin Patel, general manager of Days Inn by Wyndham. “That’s the only thing I can think of.”

The manager said his own family have been out of heat in days and, like so many others, are trying to figure out where to rest safely.

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