Burn Bans
October 5 – After two wild fires threatened parts of Texas, the Gregg County Judge decided to place a burn ban on his county, among the state's most dangerous dry zones.
October 12 – Even though Angelina County received rainfall recently, city officials have decided to extend the county's burn ban.
October 14 – Recent rains have not been enough to help lift many of the burn bans across East Texas. Officials say that two to three days of soaking rain is needed to help areas out of drought conditions.
October 15 – The burn ban in Henderson County has been extended for a third time as dry conditions continue.
October 19 – Chambers County officials have decided to extend the countywide burn ban as dry conditions and an elevated forest fire risk persists.
October 25 – Dry weather has brought an increase in the number of wildfires, which prompted Montgomery County officials to institute a burn ban.
October 27 – Outdoor burning bans have been issued for several Southeast Texas counties, including Harris County, with dry and windy conditions prevalent in the region.
October 27 – A ban on all outdoor burning in Liberty County has been put in place until at least November 9th.
Drought
Monthly Change in Drought Monitor Classification
October 1 – Gregg, Harrison, Marion and Panola counties are still in drought and there could be an increased chance of wildfires if the drought does not subside.
October 8 – Four East Texas counties near the Louisiana border are currently experiencing the most severe drought conditions in Texas.
October 17 – Officials say that even though the city of Houston has had no measurable rain in October, heavy September rains have kept the city from being considered in a drought.
October 20 – According to the Texas State Climatologist the winter months could lead Texas into another significant drought with below normal precipitation expected.
Fires
October 3 – East Texas is seeing an increase in brush fires this fall, and according to one Chapel Hill firefighter, there have already been 9 brush fires as a result of wind and unusually dry weather.
October 3 – Firefighters from across Texas are meeting in Bastrop to prepare for what could be one of the most devastating wildfire seasons this winter. Firefighters will take part in the 13th Annual Capital Area Interagency Wildfire Academy.
October 7 – This fall has brought cooler temperatures, lower humidity levels, and less rain, which has dramatically increased fire chances in Montgomery County according to fire fighting officials.
October 7 – The lack of rainfall across East Texas is causing vegetation and soils to dry out, increasing fire chances all across the Piney Woods region.
October 9 – Harrison County firefighters have been working extra hard as burn ban violators have created a dangerous situation in the area.
October 10 – Two grass fires scorched portions of Highway 6 in Bryan, and were among several fires in the region reported by the Texas Forest Service.
October 12 – Even though parts of East Texas have received rain, fire fighters are still being placed across East Texas and are on high alert for wildfires.
October 16 – With no rain in the forecast and dry conditions already elevating the threat of wildfires across the state, firefighters from across Texas have been stationed in several East Texas counties in anticipation of a bad wildfire season.
October 26 – A lack of rainfall has created ideal conditions for wildfires in East Texas, with Keetch Byram Drought Index numbers indicating an extreme lack of soil moisture.
October 27 – The Gore Store Road wildfire near Tyler has claimed 1,800 acres of land, and is evidence of a growing fire potential across all of East Texas.
Water Supply
October 1 – The Lower Colorado River Authority is starting the process of updating a Water Management Plan that will address the needs of rice farmers.
October 8 – The Rusk County Groundwater Conservation District will now be able to monitor water levels using state-of-the-art technology thanks to a partnership between the Texas Water Development Board and the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration.
October 15 – The director of the High Plains Underground Water Conservation District No. 1 of 34 years is stepping down after proposed changes in how farmers use the groundwater supply have surfaced.
October 17 – With water conservation a hot topic in Montgomery County, officials are trying to come to a consensus for countywide conservation measures.
October 18 – Travis County commissioners have officially placed a ban on any new development that would use water from the Trinity Aquifer.
October 19 – The Lower Colorado River Authority is trying to find a new water source, saying if there are no adjustments made in water usage, then the agency may not have a surplus of water to sell to new customers in 20 years.
October 20 – Cities across the state of Texas are looking into the pros and cons of rain harvesting with the help a rainwater harvesting specialist with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service.
October 22 – According to the Upper Colorado River Authority there are many steps citizens can take to conserve water, including landscaping lawns with water usage in mind.
October 24 – Texas farmers and ranchers in Bowie are worried that the courts and legislators might take away their water rights to the groundwater that they pump from.
October 24 – The Harlingen WaterWorks General Manager is calling for residents to be more careful when using water in the Rio Grande Valley, saying that conservation is the best way to avoid drought.
October 29 – Rainwater harvesting can be an effective way to conserve water in West Texas, considering a small roof can catch 600 gallons of water from a one inch rainfall.
October 31 – Environmentalists are worried that regulations being proposed for flow in Texas rivers will be too low to keep the rivers' plants and animals alive during periods of drought.
October 31 – San Antonio Water System is hoping that rate hikes will be effective in reducing water use by their customers.
Agricultural Impacts
October 1 – The Texas AgriLife Extension services reports that pecan nut crops in West Texas are doing great despite the little rainfall the area has received lately.
October 2 – In the South Plains, there has been a delay in field operations because of cool temperatures and scattered rain showers. In Far West Texas, pecan nuts have begun filling and shells are hardening.
October 2 – After the recent rains in Corpus Christi, fall fertilizing will be more important than ever experts say.
October 5 – Victoria County saw an overall successful harvest of crops this year, though wet conditions caused a nearly 45% failure of the sorghum crop planted.
October 11 – Officials are optimistic about cotton projections this year, expecting above average cotton prices and yields.
October 14 – West Texas cotton growers are expecting that this year's harvest will see an increase from last year and should cost consumers about a $1.00 more a pound.
October 15 – As East Texas continues to receive little to no rain, drought conditions are placing a strain on farms and ranches.
October 16 – The AgriLife Extension Service announced in the Texas Crop Report that the South Plains soil moisture levels were short to adequate. In the Panhandle soil moistures were also very short to adequate.
October 16 – In Lubbock cotton prices reached another 15 year high thanks to great September weather, area farmers say.
October 16 – Extremely dry conditions in Smith and Cherokee counties have left pumpkin patches in short supply this season.
October 17 – As corn prices rise, cattle ranchers say that more rain is needed so that grasses can grow, which would decrease that amount of corn required to feed the cattle.
October 19 – According to the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, cotton crops in the High Plains could possibly see a record year this year thanks to a combination of plentiful rain and warm weather.
October 20 – Floyd County in the Texas Panhandle is known as the place where non-native people first consumed pumpkins and the harvest this year is supposed to be a good one.
October 22 – Experts in Corpus Christi say that September heavy rains could have damaged plants in October, including issues with leaf drop and dieback.
October 23 – The Texas Crop Report states that in North Texas, dry conditions have hampered the emergence of winter pastures.
October 25 – Cotton farmers in the Concho Valley were nervous as storms brought a threat of both tornadoes and hail, but it appears the region dodged a major bullet.
October 28 – Hail and heavy rains caused damage to a number of South Plains cotton fields. The hardest hit area was in the Terry County town of Tokio, and crop losses ranged from 15 to 75 percent was estimated across several thousand acres.
October 30 – Texas wine makers have found that growing Mediterranean grapes, which love the climate of Texas, could be the key to growing the state's more than $1 billion wine industry.
Inclement Weather
Flooding
October 2 – Even two weeks after Tropical Storm Hermine hit, the city of Belton is still dealing with damages caused by flooding, which is being investigated by state officials.
October 7 – Tropical Storm Hermine brought widespread flooding to areas of Round Rock, leaving homeowners with the difficult task of making flood insurance claims.
October 18 – United States Representative Silvestre Reyes will meet with El Paso citizens and officials to discuss flood insurance maps.
October 28 – Staring today, the International Boundary and Water Commission will nearly double the release rate of floodwaters from Falcon Dam.
October 29 – Trash is still piling up in Lady Bird Lake as a result of Tropical Storm Hermine more than a month ago, and a massive cleanup is planned for the 30th.
Hurricanes
October 1 – The city of Houston is advising elderly citizens and physicians on how to get ready for hurricanes, which includes registering with the Texas 211 United Way Helpline.
October 6 – The Galveston Landmark hotel is to be razed after being damaged by Hurricane Ike.
October 10 – Two years after Hurricane Dolly hit the Rio Grande Valley, the City of Brownsville is still working on how to address some of the damages caused by the storm.
October 18 – Researchers in Nacogdoches used 100 giant fans to simulate hurricane force winds hitting two homes. The results showed that an ordinary home blew down in minutes while another better built home withstood the winds.
October 20 – After Hurricane Alex hit northern Mexico it deposited parts of an island to Anzalduas Park and now park officials say that it might be months before the park is re-opened
Severe Weather
October 3 – Heavy rains and scattered thunderstorms hit the areas from Clint to Fort Hancock in the Trans Pecos.
October 7 – A 21-year old youth soccer coach that was struck by lightning in New Caney over a month ago has passed away.
October 10 – A strong storm hit southern McLennan County and parts of Bell County, dropping large hail.
October 19 – Recent storms that hit El Paso caused flooding near Horizon and Socorro and brought hail and caused a power outage in San Elizario.
October 21 – Heavy rain and hail hammered the South Plains during an evening thunderstorm and more than 2 inches of rain was recorded in Lubbock.
October 23 – A storm that hit the Woodstock Apartments in Fort Worth brought with it high winds, rain, and a lightning strike that left residents assessing the damages.
October 23 – Tornado sirens were active after severe thunderstorms pounded North Texas with heavy rain and winds, which peaked at 60 mph and are blamed for ripping the roof off of an apartment complex.
October 23 – A storm that ripped through Abilene produced lightning that struck a home, causing damage and leaving a woman inside the home shaken but unharmed.
October 24 – Officials with the National Weather Service say that the Navarro County tornado had estimated winds of 135 mph, making it an EF-2 tornado.
October 24 – Hail that reached the size of a pool cue ball hit the area of Wenger, with one resident saying the hail broke the sky light on their home and dented their car.
October 25 – Auto repair shops and roofers in East Texas have been busy making repairs after a recent violent hail storm damaged cars and homes in the region.
October 25 – A pair of twisters ripped through the outskirts of Rice, causing significant damage to the new Rice Middle School building.
October 26 – A Northeast El Paso meat market was forced to be closed because strong winds destroyed most of its roof.
October 26 – Two tornadoes in East Texas destroyed homes, overturned a tractor-trailer, and left a train car in a high school baseball field.
October 27 – Recent storms that swept through the Kilgore area knocked out power, but put a new generator to use that kept pumps running and water flowing in the area.
October 28 – The National Weather Service determined that 5 tornadoes touched down on the 24th across East Texas, and all were rated as E-F0.
October 28 – High winds were blamed for the loss of power for around 16,000 residents on Galveston's East End after a crane barge was pushed into power lines.
Other Climate Impacts
October 3 – The death of twin sisters have officials in Texas City to considering putting up warning signs along the dike beach and parts of the 5-mile pier.
October 31 – Texas Democrats are worried that rainy weather in Houston on Election Day may limit turnout at the polls in Harris County.
Air/Water Quality
October 6 – Farmers and environmentalist are opposed to the idea of a proposed coal-fired power plant downriver of Austin, with opposition based on control of water rights between farmers and power plant owners.
Animals/Aquatic Life
October 4 – The city of Harlingen has seen an increase in the number of mosquitoes recently, so the city spent four days spraying citywide to combat the issue.
October 6 – Two years after Hurricane Ike reduced the Texas alligator population, their number seems to be on the rise again.
October 10 – As cooler fall weather hits Texas, deer season is on the rise and the Texas Department of Transportation is reminding motorists to watch out for deer on road ways.
October 22 – Biologists are expecting to see a record flock of whooping cranes this winter, with two already spotted on the ground and another 288 expected. However, officials are worried about the supply of fresh water in Aransas.
Climate
October 4 – A Texas A&M professor says Texas is going to just get hotter, estimating that the increase will be about one degree each decade.
October 6 – Buying energy efficient light bulbs is only one way to be smart about energy efficiency according to a study done by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
October 14 – With a La Nina pattern in place across the Pacific Ocean, temperatures in North Texas are expected to be 3-4 degrees above normal.
October 21 – According to the Weather Channel Houston has one of the best climates in America because of its rain!
Construction
October 4 – Runway improvements are just one of the many renovations taking place at the Liberty Municipal Airport. The majority of the cost is being funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for damage sustained by Hurricane Ike.
October 9 – The International Boundary and Water Commission has awarded $220 million in funding for repairs on a 240 mile stretch of the Rio Grande.
October 11 – A lack of rainfall in East Texas has prompted many counties to put burn bans into effect and some are worried this could cost construction jobs.
October 21 – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has awarded $1.7 million to the Texas Medical Center for hurricane shutters, which are being installed to protect the Center from damages during frequent high wind events.
October 21 – Two years after Hurricane Ike hit Southeast Texas, the city of Kemah is still in need of funding to help repair four boat ramps.
October 30 – A group of volunteers from Dallas helped rebuild the home of a disabled Raymondville veteran that was lost in Tropical Storm Hermine.
Economics
October 9 – The Federal Government has officially denied federal assistance for Texas and those affected by Tropical Storm Hermine. Governor Rick Perry has decided to appeal the president's denial Of FEMA aid for flood-stricken Central Texas counties.
October 11 – After the denial of a disaster declaration for 13 Texas counties affected by Tropical Storm Hermine, the city of Arlington is considering buying out more than 100 homeowners along Rush Creek.
October 12 – City leaders in Galveston must now rush to rebuild public housing units or lose the $270 million the federal government pledged to the city after Hurricane Ike hit.
October 13 –The trial centered on insurance money owed to homeowners for damages caused by Hurricane Rita has moved into its second week.
October 17 – It appears as though the Texas budget will not have any new money to help rebuild eroding beaches and vanishing wetlands.
Homes/Gardening/Trees
October 8 – Allergy experts say that this year's lack of rain is keeping ragweed in the air and allowing for other allergy related trees to bloom.
October 9 – Recent warm temperatures might not make it feel like fall, but the bright colors seen on local trees around Amarillo are a reminder that it is indeed October.
October 12 – September rains and warm October temperatures have helped Fort Worth grasses grow tall, and the city has responded by tightening its grass cutting code.
October 13 – Grass specialists in Texas say that homeowners with St. Augustine lawns have suffered more than other lawn types because of this year's extreme weather.
October 13 – Residents in Dallas say that sightings of spider lilies mean that the summer heat is over and seasonal rains are about to begin.
October 18 – Citizens across the state are celebrating Native Plant Week and are hoping to bring awareness to the environmental importance of having native species plants across the state.
October 29 – Residents of Central Texas that suffer from cedar allergies should be prepared for a worse than normal season because of the forecasted drier than normal winter.
Hunting/Fishing
October 2 – Moisture levels from this past spring and winter have set up a great deer season across Texas this fall.
October 26 – A two-year drought that severely hindered quail hunting the last two falls appears to have been broken, leaving biologists at the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department optimistic about the upcoming season.
Recreation/Leisure/Athletics
October 4 – After a major rain event forced Sinton High School to move a home football game to another school, officials in Sinton decided to get new football turf for their stadium.
October 13 – The City of Bryan has decided to move the Texas Reds Festival from the summer to October starting next year to help avoid triple digit temperatures.
October 17 – Great weather for the duration of the Texas State Fair helped the fair reach a new all-time revenue record.
Roads/Traffic/Travel
October 8 – Now that the fall is in full swing, the Texas Department of Transportation is warning motorists to be aware of deer on the road as they drive.
October 15 – The raising of Highway 87 has been scheduled to start and is being done to stop closures of the highway due to high tides and heavy rains.
