Drought/ Burn Bans/ Wildfire/ Water Supply
Monthly Change in Drought Monitor Classification
February 1- Rainfall in San Antonio has been well above normal for the past two months, but it is still not enough to get out of the extreme drought.
San Antonio Express-News, Colin McDonald, February 1, 2012
February 1- The ongoing drought has water supplies stretched thin in East Texas and a lack of data for drought such as this has people concerned.
KTRE News, Donna McCollum, February 1, 2012
February 2- Rain has water flowing though the Frio River, but memories of last summer's water shortage have backup plans for water in effect.
KENS News, Phil Anaya, February 2, 2012
February 2- The burn ban would be on the docket of the county legislature again in Ector County as the Keetch-Byram Drought Index dropped below the burn ban value of 575.
Odessa American, Nathanial Miller, February 2, 2012
February 3- The recent rain that brought over 4 inches of rain to DFW carried the region out of drought conditions.
The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Steve Cambell, February 3, 2012
February 3- The Sam Houston National Forest has allowed for salvage timber to be harvested and sold due to the dangers associated with dead and dying trees due to the drought.
The Houston Chronicle, Matthew Tresaugue, February 3, 2012
February 5- Rainfall in Corpus Christi put a small dent in the drought as parts of the region saw up to 6 inches of rain; still, the area needs 15-20 inches of rain to leave the drought.
Corpus Christi Caller, Rob Boscamp, February 5, 2012
February 5- The drought may, by the time it is over, claim 66 million trees in the city of Houston, which is why Harris County has allotted $2 million for tree removal.
The Houston Chronicle, Mike Morris, February 5, 2012
February 6- The 2011 drought has people in the timber industry wondering whether or not to replant this season after an estimated 500 million trees were killed last year in the drought.
Country World, Mindy Riffle, January 19, 2012
February 6- The past drought has the idea of water rights in question as the first come first serve way of things has water supply in jeopardy.
The Texas Tribune, Kate Galbraith, February 5, 2012
February 6- The recent rains have helped in the Texas drought but 90% of the state is still in drought conditions. Many cities in the state nearly ran out of water in the most severe times of the drought.
The Wall Street Journal, Nathan Koppel, February 6, 2012
February 8- A drought symposium was held to discuss the future of the Texas drought in East Texas and to give tips on combating the lack of water.
KTRE News, Francesca Washington, February 8, 2012
February 8- "Rain, Beautiful Rain" was the title of a NWS report on the recent rainfall that has helped the drought in South Texas.
The Brownsville Herald, Jacqueline Armendariz, February 8, 2012
February 8- The State Comptrollers office released a report totaling the effects of the drought in the billions of dollars and noted that changes may need to be made in water policies in order to conserve water.
The Texas Tribune , Kate Galbraith, February 8, 2012
February 10- Recent rainfall has pushed the metroplex out of drought stages and increased lake levels dramatically, but the region is still under drought restrictions due to the regional drought and the inability to use water from Lake Texoma due to the Zebra Mussels.
Coppell Gazette Star, Conner Hammett, February 10, 2012
February 11- The Edwards Aquifer is at its highest level since last April at 660 feet. The rainfall over the past two months has been substantial and has people rejoicing over the nearing of the end of the La Nina cycle.
San Antonio Express News, Staff, February 11, 2012
February 14- The drought is not over in the Brazos Valley even though rainfall has been well above normal. State Climatologist Dr. Nielsen-Gammon equates the current situation as that of a biscotti dipped in coffee.
The Eagle, Matthew Watkins, February 14, 2012
February 14- The recent rainfall in the Panhandle has not been enough to dent the drought which still has people worrying about the upcoming summer.
KVII News, Matt Hamilton, February 14, 2012
February 15- Rainfall around Hillsboro has raised the levels of area lakes and allowed boaters and water conservationists to breathe a sigh of relief.
The Hillsboro Reporter, February 15, 2012
February 19- All of the rain in the Houston area has made this the sixth wettest beginning of the year for the city.
The Houston Chronicle, Eric Berger, February 19, 2012
February 21- Lakes across Central Texas have risen as a result of rainfall over the past few months. Lake Travis has risen 3 feet in six days due to excess rainfall.
Austin American Statesman, Farzad Mashhood, February 21, 2012
February 26- League City is under mandatory water rationing due to the drought and a booming population. This has many officials searching for alternatives to the city's current water supply.
The Daily News, Christopher Gonzalez, February 26, 2012
February 27- The drought has begun to loose its grip on Texas as rain muddies pastures in West Texas and allows for renewed optimism.
San Angelo Standard Times, Jerry Lackey, February 27, 2012
February 27- Landowners and experts worry that this may be a bad year for wildfires as many trees sit dead and waiting for kindling.
KYTX News, Field Sutton, February 27, 2012
February 28- Nacogdoches will go into stage 2 drought restrictions starting March 1.
Cherokeean Herald, Jason Smith, February 28, 2012
Agricultural Impacts
February 6- With the drought continuing, ranchers have seen the versatility of their cattle's diet. Cotton plants, prickly pears, and mesquite have all been used as forage for cattle.
Country World, Clay Coppedge, January 19, 2012
February 25- Rainfall has brought greener pastures to central Texas and allowed for the increase in growth for winter agriculture products.
Times Record News, February 25, 2012
Inclement Weather
February 3- Lightning is blamed in the destruction of a home in Missouri City overnight. Fire crews took about an hour to control the blaze.
KHOU News, KHOU staff, February 3, 2012
February 4- Severe storms hit the Brazos Valley on Friday as tornado warnings were issued and reports of damage and flooding came in from across the Bryan College Station area.
KBTX News, KBTX staff, February 4, 2012
February 4- Severe storms dropped hail and several inches of rain on San Antonio, causing wrecks, power outages, and flooding across the city.
San Antonio Express News, Jessica Kwong, February 4, 2012
February 9- Hard rains fell in Troup flooding several businesses in downtown and other homes throughout the city last Thursday.
Tri County Leader, Suzanne Loudamy, February 9, 2012
February 16- Storms brought in flooding to the Brazos valley making this the second wettest February on record with 7.62 inches of rain recorded so far this month.
The Eagle, Maggie Kiely, February 16, 2012
February 18- A little over an inch of rain fell in the Austin area overnight, flooding parts of Zilker Park and closing a few low water crossing roads.
KXAN News, Jacqueline Ingles, February 18, 2012
February 28- High winds allowed for decreased visibility due to blowing dust, power outages, and motor vehicle accidents as winds gusted up to 66 mph.
Amarillo Globe News, Aziza Musa, February 28, 2012
Winter Weather/Cold
February 7- the Texas Panhandle saw a dusting of less than an inch of snow on Tuesday morning February 7.
Amarillo Globe News, Aziza Musa, February 7, 2012
February 13- Snow and sleet have begun to fall in North Texas, delaying some school openings and canceling a few activities in the region.
WFAA News, WFAA Staff, February 13, 2012
February 14- West Texas received about 2 inches of snow allowing for the cancellation of some classes at Texas Tech University and delaying classes at some school districts.
The Eagle, February 14, 2012
Hunting/ Fishing
February 8- Recent rains have fishing spirits up, for, as the lakes and reservoirs fill, it gives fish more habitats and nutrients to live on. Still the drought is far from over.
The Houston Chronicle, Shannon Tompkins, February 8, 2012
February 16- Deer hunting season this year did not give the quality of deer that hunters are used to and many worry about future seasons if the drought persists.
Abilene Reporter News, Jeff Craig, February 16, 2012
Other Climate Impacts
February 1- Austin approached record highs for the first of February as the mercury hit 81 degrees Fahrenheit, 2 degrees shy of a record.
Austin American Statesman, Katie Glueck, February 1, 2012
February 2- Rain on Texas A&M's campus has fashionable people revolting at the use of rain boots.
The Battalion, Jason Syptak, February 2, 2012
February 4- Warm and wet conditions have led to an early boom for the population of mosquitoes in the Beaumont area stretching spraying crews thin.
Beaumont Enterprise, Amos Morale III, February 4, 2012
February 4- Wet road conditions are blamed for a wreck on Highway 69 in Lumberton.
KBMT News, Bert Charan, February 4, 2012
February 5- Drought, wildfires, recent rains, budget cuts and low attendance has put the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department in a huge budget crisis.
The Fort Worth Star Telegram, Steve Campbell, February 5, 2012
February 9- If the upcoming summer is anything like the previous one then Texans will have to be extra conservative to avoid rolling blackouts as power demand skyrockets and supply remains scarce.
San Antonio Express News, Gary Scharrer, February 9, 2012
February 9- The drought has forced the shutdown of Tom Finley Park in Gun Barrel City giving the managers an opportunity to open a new antiques store.
Cedar Creek Lake News, David Webb, February 9, 2012
February 16- A roundtable discussion was held in the Texas Forestry Museum to discuss taking care of native plants in the drought.
Lufkin Daily News, Steve Knight, February 16, 2012
February 18- The Time Warner Cable Texas Invitational baseball tournament was delayed due to rain in Austin over the weekend.
The Daily Texan, Sara Purdy, February 18, 2012
February 19- The Mardi Gras celebration and parade in Beaumont went on as expected even in the rain.
The Beaumont Enterprise, Sarah Moore, February 19, 2012
February 22- One of five fish hatcheries in Texas will most likely close due to low water levels that feed the tanks.
Austin American Statesman, Betsy Blaney, February 22, 2012
February 24- The rainfall across Texas has exerts hoping for a good wildflower bloom across the state.
The Eagle, Rosalee Getterman, February 24, 2012
February 27- The drought last year had industry leaders worried about operations at factories and refineries due to the lack of ample water supply.
The Texas Tribune, Kate Galbraith, February 27, 2012
February 27- Rain has washed out many roads in East Texas making it difficult for workers to come in and repair them between rain cycles.
KTRE News, Francesca Washington, February 27, 2012
