Fires
April 1 – The director of public relations for Texas Farm Bureau is optimistic that the wet winter will boost crops and water levels when compared to recent years. However, he warns to future water levels to be at less than desirable levels, increasing the urgency for water harvesting and conservation.
Drought
Monthly Change in Drought Monitor Classification
April 28 – According to the Lower Colorado River Authority's chief meteorologist, a mild drought in Central Texas could occur this summer as rains are expected to taper off as El Nino subsides and a La Nina pattern takes over.
Water Supply
April 8 – The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has finally begun letting contractors draw water from the rivers and creeks in Bandera County. The release means that any roadwork that would usually use water for repairs can begin again.
April 9 – North Texans will get the chance to have a say in their region's long-term water plan over the next few months. Topics of interest include greater awareness of water conservation and the possibility of building a new reservoir, which has not been done in more than 20 years.
April 10 – In West Texas, conservation of water is a big deal and now the conservation and use of rainwater is becoming part of everyday life. Officials from the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are helping citizens of West Texas understand how valuable rainwater can be to plants and lawns.
April 19 – The Tarrant Regional Water District is projected to save at least $7 million this fiscal year because recent rainfall has filled local reservoirs and reduced the cost of water pumping. Further savings could be in store if the trend of wet weather continues into the late spring and summer.
Agricultural Impacts
April 3 –The Panhandle of Texas received 6 to 8 more inches of snow, bringing the seasonal total to 45 inches. The recent snow has increased soil moisture levels in the region well above levels seen over the recent past. In East Texas, warmer days have helped green up most grasses, though cooler night time temperatures have slowed growth.
April 5 – Heavy rainfall this past autumn has set up a new scenario for farmers across Concho Valley and Big Country. After last year's drought and a failure in the wheat crops, this spring farmers are expecting a better than average wheat yield. The wet weather also pushed back the planting of corn in Central Texas, but it was finally planted after the weather dried in mid-March.
April 6 – In East Texas, warmer temperatures helped grasses to green up and grow and producers reported little damage to fruit crops because of late frosts. In the Panhandle, warmer air allowed producers to enter fields and begin fertilizing wheat crops and spraying for pests.
April 8 – The second phase of a study conducted by Texas AgriLife Extension Service concluded that it is possible to keep feral hogs out of deer feeding stations without limiting access to the deer. Conducted in the late autumn of 2009, the study found using 28 to 34 inch fences kept out invaders while allowing entry to the deer.
April 10 – In West Central Texas, warmer weather and high winds have dried everything out, though more rain is needed for crops. The dry weather improved rangeland and pasture growth that feeds cattle, which after a long winter, are finally starting to show signs of weight gain.
April 11 – The agricultural industry in Texas is concerned that new legislation passed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will over-regulate greenhouse gas emissions. In West Texas, agricultural dust that comes from cotton strippers, cows, and even dirt roads would be considered coarse particle matter that the EPA is calling to reduce.
April 12 – All the recent rainfall in South Texas has brought back the green grasses and colorful wildflowers that were missing because of drought in 2009. However, ranchers are concerned that the improving conditions may bring unwanted weeds.
April 15 – Although the flooding that has plagued areas of Texas is over, the moisture in the soil has weeds popping up everywhere. According to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, a combination of wet winter weather and lower fertility rates in pastures has helped the weeds grow.
April 20 – Recent rains in Texas is exactly what crops and wildflowers needed. Lubbock County recorded 4 to 5 inches of rain this past week, which was very beneficial for wheat and cotton producers. In Dickens County, the 1.5 inches of rain that fell will help wheat and oat crops.
April 24 – Top soils that have been drying out in the Texas Rolling Plains were replenished after thunderstorms dropped 5.5 inches of rain over the area. In Far West Texas, 1 to 5 inches of rain gave the farmers a chance to cut their first alfalfa crop of the season.
April 25 – The Texas South Plains received significant rainfall, which caused temporary flooding in low-lying areas, had the benefit of helping cotton and wheat producers with soil moisture levels. In the Coastal Bend area, pastures continued to improve as warmer weather and rain were reported.
April 26 – After years of drought, mild winters, hot summers, and late freezes, Hill Country peach growers are hoping this year will have a great harvest. As long as there are no more late freezes or hail storms, producers say Texans will finally be able to buy peaches from other Texans.
April 27 – In the Coastal Bend area, heavy rain fell in parts of the area but pastures are still in need of more rain as warm season grasses are starting to grow. In Far West Texas, recent rain has helped vegetation grow and with good soil moisture levels, producers have been able to prepare fields for planting.
April 29 – April showers have helped moisture levels across the state and helped with the growth of grasses in pastures and rangelands. Row crops and small grains have also benefited from the rainfall, and livestock have been able to do more grazing now that pastures are in a better condition.
April 30 – While farmers in West Texas are excited for planting season, cotton farmers in Lubbock are worried that this year's winter rainfall has been too much, leaving fields too wet to plant crops.
Inclement Weather
Flooding
April 2 – Experts at the National Hurricane Conference believe that the already stringent building codes in place across the Bolivar Peninsula may need to be further tightened. There is discussion that the 100-year flood plain heights may need to be raised from the current level of 20 feet above sea level.
April 3 – In just two weekends there has been a drowning death and a near drowning in the waters near Galveston. City officials warn that rip tides are a huge concern in the waters, and anyone caught in one of these tides should just relax and ride it out.
April 14 – Tornillo residents had to dig trenches to protect their property from rushing waters caused by a line of storms that brought heavy rainfall and pea-sized hail. The storm filled nearby arroyos and left cars stranded. Heavy rain collection forced a carport to collapse on top of several cars.
April 14 – Showers and thunderstorms were reported near southern Crane County and Big Springs and brought frequent lightning and pea sized hail and left the region at a high risk for flash flooding.
April 15 – Residents of the Kleberg County town of Riviera are angry because anytime a major rainstorm comes through the area, flooding commences and they want the problem fixed. Sometimes the flooding gets so bad, school buses will not come through the flooded areas to pick up children for school.
April 16 – Rain and inadequate drainage caused a roof to collapse near Texas Tech after an extraordinary amount weight was put on the roof by the rain water ponding. The drainage could not keep up with the ponding, and the structural components of the roof gave way.
April 16 – The City of Three Rivers was flooded after more than a foot of rain fell in the area. According to city officials, eight homes were flooded and several roads in the town were blocked because of flooding. School had to be closed and one water rescue was needed to save a resident whose home was surrounded by water.
April 16 – After a wet weekend the meteorologists with the National Weather Service in San Angelo say that they recorded 0.88 inches of rain on Thursday at Mathis Field and over a two day period, 2.23 inches of rain fell from the sky. Fire department officials in town say that because of all the rain, two water rescues were needed.
April 16 – The start of 2010 is officially the wettest start for any year since records have been kept in Lubbock. According to the National Weather Service, 3.98 inches of rain fell at the Lubbock International Airport on the 16th, bringing the year-to-date total to 10.02 inches.
April 17 – Dozens of volunteers walked the shore of the Guadalupe River to search for a man that has been missing near Hunt, and the search was made more difficult due to excessive rainfall. The man was last seen in a pickup when flood waters swept his vehicle away.
April 19 – Flood waters across South Texas have started to recede, but officials believe it could take weeks before all the waters are gone. The Leon River flooded Highway 90 and the road has been closed on both the east and west sides.
Hurricanes
April 4 – After having their home destroyed by Hurricane Ike, a Kemah family was forced to live in two trailers provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. However, with the help of their church group and ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition show, they are getting a new place to call their own.
April 7 – With summer right around the corner, Hurricane Season will be upon us before we know it. Scientists at Colorado State University are forecasting 15 named storms in 2010 and say that there is a 69 percent chance that a major hurricane makes landfall along the United States coast.
April 10 – Eighteen months ago Hurricane Ike damaged the home of a Southeast Texas woman and for the past year and half, she has been living in the damaged home. Unsure how to get help to fix her home, the Neighborhood Centers Incorporated Stay Connected program stepped in and fixed her home.
April 18 – City officials in Galveston have decided to demolish a hurricane-damaged West End apartment complex. The abandoned apartment complex has been home to vagrants and drug dealers since Hurricane Ike hit and will add to the list of more than 400 structures that have been demolished.
April 20 – Dr. Steve Lyons, a leading hurricane expert for The Weather Channel for the past several years, has been named the chief meteorologist at the National Weather Service in San Angelo.
April 27 – The Galveston Housing Authority is asking the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for $22 million to rebuild two neighborhoods destroyed by Hurricane Ike. If granted the money, housing units will be built and there is hope for redevelopment of the corridor between the University of Texas Medical Branch and the downtown area.
April 29 – Eighteen months after Hurricane Ike hit Alvin, the South Park Baptist Church in Alvin has been renovated after $1 million in damage was left after the storm. Church members are thankful that the new building is up and they are now looking for a pastor.
Severe Weather
April 2 – The severe weather that was expected to hit North Texas passed through the area before significant thunderstorms could form. Meteorologists with the National Weather Service reported a tenth of an inch of rain at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and a third of an inch of rain was recorded at Alliance Airport.
April 2 – AccuWeather.com, one of the nation's largest private weather forecasting companies, believes that this year's Tornado Alley will be moving farther east. They also note that the lack of tornadoes this season is due to a cooler-than-normal Gulf of Mexico, El Nino, and the persistent cooler weather in the Plains and South.
April 2 – As April begins and the state moves into spring local meteorologists are looking back on the month of March. March helped extended the cooler than normal weather streak to four month and had two freezes. The two freezes brought the total of freezes to 47 for the winter, the 10th most of all winters.
April 3 – Since Texas is now in the heart of severe weather season, many counties and cities in the state are making preparations. In Mount Pleasant, the Fire Department Chief and Emergency Management Director remind residents to make sure their homes are connected to the Code Red alert system in case of a severe storm.
April 4 – The month of April means that severe weather season in Texas is underway and the city of Plano is already planning for the worst. The Plano Emergency Management team and officials from the National Weather Service advise Plano residents to develop a plan for both evacuating and sheltering in a place should severe weather catch them off guard.
April 5 – Three children were hurt in El Paso when a big gust of wind picked up a jumping balloon and carried it ten feet. Witnesses say a whirlwind or dust devil picked up the balloon and carried it across the street, where it snapped power lines and slammed into a wall.
April 12 – El Paso received heavy downpours of rain and even hail in some areas as a thunderstorm rolled through the Borderland. Golf-ball sized hail was reported in Horizon City and pea-sized hail was reported in Fabens.
April 18 – The National Weather Service says that when a strong thunderstorm moved through South Texas, a tornado touched down south of King Ranch. Luckily, there were no damaged buildings or injuries associated with the tornado.
April 18 – Two men in Houston were struck by lightning during a thunderstorm as they were walking off a soccer field after a pick-up game. One man was conscious after the strike and bystanders started CPR on the other man, saving his life.
April 21 – The National Weather Service in Amarillo confirmed that two tornadoes touched down in the Texas Panhandle, with only minor damage reported. Officials say the first tornado touched down three miles west of Bushland, just south of Interstate 40 and was on the ground for about a mile. The second tornado touched down about three miles northeast of Umbarger and was on the ground for two minutes.
April 22 – Storm chasers in the Texas Panhandle were able to capture a tornado on video cutting across rural areas, one of four tornadoes reported in the area. Local police say that the tornado did little damage and stayed on the ground for about 30 minutes.
April 23 – As the National Weather Service placed several area counties under a Tornado Watch, officials in Wichita Falls were also monitoring the Wichita River. Recent rains have swelled area streams and the Wichita River, leaving city officials worried that anymore rain upstream would cause flooding of the Wichita River.
April 23 – The National Weather Service confirmed 8 tornadoes touched down in the Texas Panhandle. Two tornadoes touched down near Goodnight, just northwest of Waco, and storm chasers were able to capture video footage of the EF0 tornado.
April 24 – Rough weather in North Texas caused extensive damage with roofs torn off of buildings, power lines downed, and trees being split in half by severe storms. In Corsicana, the strong winds blew a hole in the roof of an apartment complex and electricity was knocked out and trees were reported blow down in Canton and Mabank.
April 24 – Severe storms in North Texas caused a fire that killed a foster dad, and was started after lightning hit his home during a severe thunderstorm. The 67-year-old Phalba man rescued all nine of his children and died trying to save the family dog.
April 24 – Severe thunderstorms caused minor damages to several homes and properties in Central Texas and one house was destroyed in Bosqueville when a tree fell through it. In Bosqueville and China Springs, power was out for more than 12 hours because of the storm.
April 25 – East Texans homes and businesses were damaged by a powerful storm system that crossed the area and brought severe thunderstorms. A tornado touched down near Queen City in Kaufman County and an EF-1 tornado touched down in Mabank. Meteorologists are investigating the possibility that another tornado hit rural areas of Van Zandt County.
April 25 – High winds and lightning caused widespread power outages across East Texas as nearly 12,000 meters were without power after storms hit the area. Officials warned citizens to be careful of downed power lines that could obstruct roadways and to be patient as crews worked to safely restore the power.
April 26 – An isolated severe storm that crossed Bell County caused damage at a truck stop four miles north of Temple, including the awning of the gas station crashing down on top of a woman. In Salado, 0.75 inch hail was reported and trees of five to eight inch diameters were downed in Oenasville.
April 29 – Strong winds in El Paso had residents running indoors as gusts reached 70 mph, creating brown-out conditions as dust blew around the city. El Paso Electric Company reported that 50 customers were affected by power outages in the area, a small number considering the ferocity of the winds.
April 30 – Two separate power outages left 2,300 Texas-New Mexico Power Customers without power because of dust and pollen that had built up on the lines in Texas City, La Marque, and Friendswood. A second outage came when light rains sparked a fire on one of the power poles in West Texas City.
Other Climate Impacts
Air/Water Quality
April 1 – Today marks the first day of enforcement for new legislation passed by the Environment Protection Agency that tightens fuel efficiency. Estimates in Texas predict adherence to the new standards would be comparable to removing 2 million cars from Texas roadways.
April 7 – Recent dry and warmer weather had dried out Texas and helped plants and trees grow, and with all the growth came an infestation of pollen for allergy sufferers. According to an allergist in Waco, these sufferers should use regular antihistamines and keep windows and doors shut to prevent pollen from entering their homes or businesses.
April 9 – Amarillo is using the memory of Black Sunday, the worst dust storm in United States history, to create the first ever Dust Bowl Symposium on its 75th anniversary. Participants will include those who lived through the experience and experts that will discuss the farming policies that were in place during the 1930s. The combination of wind and dust led some to believe that the world was coming to an end as it rolled through the Texas panhandle at 60 mph.
April 10 – Officials from the city of Irving are warning those who want a front row seat for the implosion of Texas Stadium to watch the event from the comfort of their home. Research has shown that breathing in the dust stirred up just after an implosion is dangerous, but weather forecasts indicate these effects should be localized with calm to light winds forecasted.
April 12 – In areas of Texas there seems to be pollen on just about everything that has been left outdoors, including vehicles. The most active types of pollen are maple, mulberry, and oak and this allergy season, considered to be one of the worst in years, comes after one of the coldest, snowiest winters in recent North Texas history.
April 13 – The city of Dallas was spared from the massive dust storm that buried much of the Southern Plains during April of 1935 as winds shifted from the north to the east before the dust cloud reached the area.
Animals/Aquatic Life
April 5 – Rains in Texas brought by El Nino have spurred the growth of wildflowers, farms, trees, lakes, greenbelts, and backyard gardens. However, one adverse effect of all the rain has been an increase in snail population, which gardeners should be on the lookout for since they can eat up crops.
April 9 – Hurricane Ike displaced many people and many animals when it hit League City including an alligator that decided to make landfall as well. The 7-foot alligator was found in an apartment complex parking lot and animal control officials believe the displaced alligator was looking for food.
April 14 – The warmer weather in El Paso has brought wildlife out of hiding according to El Paso Animal Services, who have already been called to deal with three snakes in the area. With warmer weather, residents should be on the look out for rattlesnakes in their yards.
April 20 – With the weather warming up snake appearances are becoming more frequent and experts say these snakes are looking for mates. According to a biology professor at the University of Arlington, snakes begin to show up around this time of year after being hidden underground for several months.
April 21 – Recent rains and warmer weather have been the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and the city of Abilene will start spraying for the pests at an earlier date than last year. Residents are reminded to use bug repellent and to steer clear of standing water to avoid contracting the West Nile virus.
April 26 – Officials in North Dallas hope that warmer lake temperatures and recent rains will put a stop to the large number of fish deaths in two Texas Lakes. More than 100,000 fish have died in the alga-infested lakes and pelicans are flying from the Gulf Coast to feed on the dead fish.
Construction
April 5 – A year and a half after Hurricane Ike hit Galveston, the historic gas streetlamps are finally being refurbished and repaired. According to city officials the Federal Emergency Management Agency will reimburse the city for 90% of the cost to repair and replace the lamps.
April 7 – Nineteen months after Hurricane Ike hit the Texas City Dike, city commissioners finally approved a contractor to begin repairing the dike. Reconstruction of the "World's largest man-made fishing pier" should begin in two weeks and cost about $4.3 million.
April 22 – A plan to spend $150 million in Dallas city funds to repair an aging flood control system was supported by the Dallas City Council. One city manager described the repairs as "urgent" and targeted August 2011 as a completion date.
April 27 – Four months after a tornado ripped through Lufkin the process of rebuilding has begun. The new post building for Lufkin's VFW post is under construction and the hope is that it will be ready in time for the annual fall festival hosted by the VFW post.
Economics
April 1 – The Texas Public Utility Commission has acknowledged that there were 1,827 human errors when reading the new digital meters that led to substantial overbilling of customers. They also announced that some of the reason for the extra high bills was the exceptionally cold weather during winter.
April 4 – Churches that survived Hurricane Ike, which hit Galveston Island in September 2008, are struggling to stay afloat. A mass exodus of residents from the area following the hurricane has led to dwindling congregations and less money being put in local collection plates.
April 6 – April 16th is the deadline for home owners to claim any hail damage from last year's major hail storm in the Lubbock area. Insurance adjusters are calling the storm one of the most damaging storms in Lubbock history. However, because of a wet and cold winter many repairs have been delayed.
April 22 – Storm insurance companies in Texas are reevaluating their approach to Texas after paying out more than what was collected in the relatively calm weather year of 2009. On average, insurance companies paid out 2.4% more than what was collected from premiums during 2009.
April 27 – The massive hail storm that hit El Paso last autumn has had a bigger impact on the city then seen at first. Insurance officials say that El Paso has more weather related car claims during the past year than any other city in the state.
Homes/Gardening/Trees
April 1 – As temperatures warmed toward the end of March after a cold winter, wildflowers and native plants started to bloom. An expert at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center expects bluebonnets to bloom in large numbers over the next few weeks.
April 2 – As the threat of severe weather increases in Texas, the chances of plants and trees receiving damage from the storms increases, as well. An expert from the International Society of Arboriculture reminds residents to prune their trees and plants to avoid trees from becoming debris that could damage power lines, car, and homes.
April 3 – Spring in West Texas is usually met with the arrival of the American robin, which will reside year-round in the more tropical climate of East Texas.
April 6 – Residents in Victoria are concerned about their lawns not performing as well as they would like, and according to the Victoria AgriLife Extension office, many residents in Victoria are experiencing turf-related issues. The weather this past year has been very unusual, and going from very dry conditions to very wet conditions with low temperatures is very hard on the turf.
April 9 – This spring has been one of the best seasons to see bluebonnets in Texas in years. Experts say that rain last August helped germinate the seeds and now we are getting the returns. For the best place to find wildflowers, residents can call the Texas Department of Transportation.
April 12 – Homes that were destroyed and then abandoned after Hurricane Ike are being demolished as part of a federal buyout program that wants to clear away decaying, Ike-damaged homes. So far, 68 homes in Galveston have qualified to be part of the program.
April 14 – According to the Texas Office of the State Climatologist, the weather is the reason allergy suffers are having such a hard time this spring. The cold, wet weather suppressed the blooming of plants and once the weather became warmer and drier, there was an explosion in the pollen count.
Recreation/Leisure/Athletics
April 4 –The National Weather Service (NWS) is getting help from ordinary citizens in taking weather observations as part of the Cooperative Observer Program. As part of the deal, the NWS places equipment on each participant's property to record vital pieces of weather information.
April 6 – Once again El Paso was under wind advisory and Red Flag warning, and many residents in the borderland wonder when the wind will ever stop. El Pasoans have been unable to enjoy many of their favorite outdoor activities because of the windy weather.
April 15 – Rain forced the cancellation of the Texas Hill Country Wine and Food Festival. The event was to be the inaugural Texas25 event on the Whole Foods Market rooftop plaza.
April 15 – Thundershowers and lightning were blamed for the cancellation of Western Heritage Day at Hardin-Simmons University. This meant that about 3,400 children would not be able to participate in the camp that has been taking place for the past 27 years and demonstrates how pioneers came to Texas.
April 17 – Recent rains that have been pounding Texas have caused yet another rain delay, this time at Texas Motor Speedway. For the first time in the history of the Texas Motor Speedway officials delayed both the Sprint Cup and Nationwide races, in addition to practice runs drivers wanted to get in before the race.
April 17 – Texas Tech baseball players had to wait a little longer to play their double header against Oklahoma because of rain. The day before, rain caused the cancellation of the baseball game forcing to scheduling of a double header.
April 17 – Continued rain in Texas has forced the delay and cancellation of several high school and college sporting events around the state. A four game softball series pitting Hardin-Simmons against Mary Hardin-Baylor, which would have decided the first place in the American Southwest Conference West Division, has been postponed for several days because of the wet weather.
April 18 – NASCAR fans were disappointed for a second straight day when both the Samsung Mobile 500 and the O'Reilly Auto Parts 300 were canceled because of rain. Fans who have been enjoying the races for 14 years said this is the first time weather has caused significant delays.
April 21 – Rain could not stop runners from finishing the Michael Johnson Classic at the University of Texas-Pan American track. Although the race was not canceled the men's discuss throw was stopped halfway through because of the rainy weather.
April 23 – The Tarleton State University softball team is was suppose to play a three game series against the Wildcats of Abilene Christian University. However, the series was cut one day short because of heavy rain and forced the cancellation of the final game.
April 28 – A microburst could not stop Texas high school students from participating in the Rockets 2010 program. The programs location site was hit by a microburst the night before the event and the winds destroyed the spectators' site and exhibitors' tent and partially damaged the rocket preparation sites.
Traffic
April 7 – Residents of North Dallas and Fort Worth are still dealing with the effects of having one of the snowiest winters in Dallas history. The city is littered with potholes and standing water and is aware that repairs are needed, the funding necessary to make all the repairs are just not available right now.
April 19 – All of the recent rain in Lubbock has caused a lot of damage to roads, with county roads seemingly taking the worst beating. Muddy roads, cracks, and potholes have Lubbock drivers wondering when the city will fix and reshape the roads after the roads have dried up.
April 20 – During the recent rains in Hidalgo County, 13 wrecks were reported on a five mile stretch of Highway 28, causing one person to be seriously injured and leaving two others with only minor injuries. The Texas Department of Transportation says that the accidents were due to the slick roads, and they are now posting signs to warn drivers to be careful when the roads are wet.
April 21 – The McAllen area received more than 4 inches of rain and it is believed that the rain may have caused a train derailment. The derailment was not directly caused by the rain but officials think that oversaturated ground beneath the tracks caused the train cars to derail.
April 28 – According to Allstate Insurance, Texas leads the nation in storm-related motor vehicle insurance claims for the second consecutive year. Although most places around the state saw an increase in claims, the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the Tyler-Longview area, and Amarillo saw a decrease in the number of claims.
