Burn Bans
Drought
Monthly Change in Drought Monitor Classification
Weekend Rain Replenishes Ground Water Supplies- After over 5.5 inches of rain fell in Jacksonville, authorities say that the drought has officially lost its grip on East Texas. The hardest hit area from the rain was near Nacogdoches, where around a foot of rain fell.
Jacksonville Daily Progress, Faith Harper, October 2, 2012
Wildfire
Rain May Increase Winter Wildfire Chances- After substantial rainfall the landscape is greening up, but when things begin to dry up this could give wildfires ample fuel over the winter.
KTXS News, Chealsea Humphries, October 9, 2012
Water Supply
West Texas Lakes Benefit from Steady Rains- After a period of several days rainfall lakes around west Texas rose significantly, letting locals breathe a sigh of relief. The lake that supplies the majority of the water to San Angelo rose by about 15 feet, while other local lakes rose between 8 and 25 feet.
KFDA News, Betsy Blaney, October 4, 2012
City Council Live: Back to Drought Level 1 Oct. 8- After a huge amount of rain the past weekend city council officials in San Angelo voted to reduce the water restriction levels from stage 3 to stage 1. The motion was not uncontested though with many hoping that the city does not misuse this blessing of additional water in local reservoirs.
San Angelo Standard Times, Matthew Waller, October 5, 2012
Despite Rain, West Texas Water Woes Continue- Policy makers still keep their eyes set on lake levels in West Texas even after substantial rainfall fell adding a year to the water supply in the Permian Basin. Water restrictions were in place for a long time threatening many businesses and the extending the city’s water supply. Pipeline projects are in the works for both San Angelo and Odessa to bring in more water and Texas currently has a $53 billion water wish list for the legislature.
The Texas Tribune, Kate Galbraith, October 8, 2012
An Intervention on Water Usage in Amarillo- After a summer of record breaking water usage in Amarillo despite conservation efforts, the city is looking into new ways to save water. The city is budgeting money to have homeowners with large water bills find a way to put in irrigation systems, and they are looking into education programs similar to those in North Texas.
Amarillo Globe News, Kevin Welch, October 13, 2012
LCRA Seriously Considering Enormous (And Expensive) Network of Holding Ponds- With drought persistent across Texas, the Lower Colorado River Authority is looking for alternative water storage methods. With the majority of rains falling south of the reservoirs, the river is full but none of it runs into the lakes, causing the LCRA to flood local lands for later use. The LCRA is looking to expand this use of land because it has been so successful.
KEYE News, Jason Wheeler, October 16, 2012
City allows Less Watering as Fall Hits- As fall comes across Texas plants start to go into dormancy for the winter months, thus requiring less water to survive. Part of San Angelo’s Stage 1 drought restrictions restrict homeowners to lawn watering once every two weeks during the fall to winter months. Assuming the drought does not worsen homeowners will be able to water twice a week beginning April 1.
San Angelo Standard Times, Matthew Waller, October 30, 2012
Agricultural Impacts
Recent Rain Too Late for Local Farmers- After soaking rains replenished reservoirs it begged the question of how this affects farmers. Turns out that the rain came too late to help many dry land farmers with good planting rains early in the year, but too little throughout the year the majority of crop will not be harvested.NewsWest 9, Geena Martinez, October 3, 2012
Farmers Making Use of Fall Rain- Although the rain has delayed the harvesting of some crops, overall people a pleased with the rain that doubled the yearly rainfall in less than a month. This rain will mean better harvests in the future, especially for winter crops.
KAMR News, Chris Martin, October 8, 2012
The Drought Continues but Farming Optimism Remains High- After steady soaking rains in September winter crops are looking up as the subsoil moisture levels were allowed to replenish. This means that even if it does get dry again there is moisture enough to last for a while making growers of winter wheat happy.
KTXS News, Chelsea Humphrey, October 10, 2012
Storms Benefit Pumpkin Farmers- After milder temperatures and wetter conditions the pumpkin crop is of better quality this year compared to last, up to three-fourths of a normal harvest from one-fourth last year. The cooler temperatures also improve sales as people begin to get into the fall mood and head out to local pumpkin patches.
Amarillo Globe News, Brittany Nunn, October 14, 2012
Rice Farmers to get Water as Texas Drought Eases- The LCRA will begin to release water from it’s reservoirs to rice farmers downstream due to the increase in water level from recent rains. Recently the drought has reduced the harvestable area for rice from 24,000 acres to only 1,500.
KFDA News, October 22, 2012
Cotton Yield to be Low this Season- As farmers begin the harvest of the cotton crop there does not seem to be much ready for them. Rain this year made for a much better yield than last year, but local gins are not looking for high quality cotton since most of the years rain came too late for cotton to benefit from it. Sale prices are down to nearly half of what they were last year.
Snyder Daily News, October 30, 2012
Inclement Weather
Heat
Wednesday Sets All Time Record for heat in Corpus Christi- At Corpus Christi International Airport the high temperature on Wednesday was recorded to be 101, the highest temperature recorded in the 126 years of observations for the month of October.
The Corpus Christi Caller Times, October 18, 2012
Cold/Winter Weather
North Texas Shocked By Early Cold Spell- Temperatures overnight on Sunday dropped into the low 40’s or even 30’s in the northern cities after a strong cold front passed through forcing many to turn on the heater and shake the dust out of coats. The National Weather Service issued a frost advisory for the region much earlier than the normal first frost in late November.
KTVT News, Mellissa Newton, October 8, 2012
Cold Front Blows into North Texas- A strong cold front pushed it’s way across Texas on Thursday dropping temperatures 15 degrees in one hour, and leaving temperatures 30 degrees cooler from Thursday to Friday.
The Fort Worth Star Telegram, Domingo Ramirez Jr., October 25, 2012
Shelter Braces for the Cold- As winter begins to head our way the Good Samaritan Mission prepares for a large increase in homeless guests in the shelter. As many as 175 people are expected to stay in the shelter during colder weather.
KIII News, October 26, 2012
Hurricanes
Texoma Feels the Effects of Sandy- Even though hurricane Sandy is making landfall on the East Coast, the Texoma area Salvation Army has been placed on standby in case more help is needed.
KXII News, Victoria Maranan, October 30, 2012
Severe Weather
Storms Cause Damage, Flooding in Calhoun County- Over the weekend upwards of six inches of rain fell in Calhoun County causing some roads to flood and causing minor flood damage in the Hackberry subdivision. A tornado also touched down near Port Lavaca causing damage to a Tractor Supply Company building and downing power lines.
The Port Lavaca Wave, October 3, 2012
Tornado Touches Down in Hale Center, Hail Breaks Windows- A short-lived tornado touched down five miles outside of Hale Center on Friday causing no damage. Baseball sized hail was also recorded breaking car windows while the storm also caused a power outage delaying high school football games.
The Plainview Herald, Shanna Sissom, October 13, 2012
Storms Rock North Texas- Overnight on Saturday strong storms moved through the metroplex causing as many as 22,000 customers to lose power. The storms are also to blame for many traffic accidents along Texas highways some of which had to be shut down due to high water.
KXAS News, October 14, 2012
Tornado Reported in Willacy County- A batch of strong storms moved through the Rio Grande Valley on Thursday bringing heavy rains and high winds to the drought stricken land. During the evening commute hours the national Weather Service issued a tornado warning for Willacy County as they tracked a tornado 10 miles outside of Raymondville.
KGBT News, Joey Horta, October 18, 2012
Other Climate Impacts
Animals/Aquatic Life
Cold Weather Summons Creepy Crawlers into Homes- As winter approaches pests begin searching for warm places to seek refuge, and homes are the perfect place to do so. Pest control companies always see an increase in calls this time of year and suggest that homeowners check for places that critters can get in.
Pronews 7, Kyndel Lee, October 11, 2012
Economics
IRS Giving Drought Stricken Farmers an Extension- The IRS is granting an extension to ranchers who were forced to sell off more cattle than usual in the current drought period. This applies to farmers and ranchers in 43 states and allows them to not pay taxes for the cattle they sold on the charge that they intend to restock their herds in the next four years.
The Mineola Monitor, October 4, 2012
Drying Up Big Business- As Wichita Falls nears the point of Emergency Stage 3 Water Restrictions, business leaders and city officials are looking for ways to conserve water without sacrificing businesses such as restaurants, car washes and golf courses which use lots of water. Conservation efforts are already being put in place and the chamber of commerce still tries to lure businesses even though the water shortage is hostile to some seeking Wichita Falls.
KAUZ News, October 30, 2012
Health
As the Season Changes, the Flu shot is Recommended- Experts say that as the weather begins to change this is the best time to get a flu shot. The height of flu season is from October to March and the symptoms of flu are vomiting, chills, body aches, and fever.
KETK News, Teresa Sardina, October 22, 2012
Homes/Gardening/Trees
Recent Rains Reveal Roof Leaks- After around 7 inches of rain fell on Abilene over the weekend roofing companies are seeing an increase in the number of calls for roof repairs. Repairmen blame clogged and overflowing drainage pipes for most of the issues.
KTAB News, Kristen Anderson, October 3, 2012
Cold Weather May be the Best Time to Plant a New Garden- With a cold front and cooler temperatures on the way experts say that this may be the best time to plant new plants. Roots of plants set now will not be subject to extreme heat and may set before the heat comes again, but the winter does require some extra care for delicate plants.
KJTL News, David Gonzalez, October 6, 2012
Drought May have Spurred a Deluge of Acorns on Southeast Texas- It is not completely known why certain years have huge amounts of acorns dropped from oak trees, but it is thought by experts to be happening this year due to last year’s incredible drought. After tough conditions last year trees may have put most of their energy into the production of seeds in order that the species may survive.
The Houston Chronicle, Eric Berger, October 15, 2012
Drought Leaves Weakened Trees Susceptible to Pests, Diseases for Years- After the record drought of 2011 trees across the state have suffered crucial losses to their carbohydrate reserves leaving them weakened for up to 7 years after the end of drought conditions, according to the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension office. Estimates put tree deaths at over 300 million for last year.
AgriLife Today, Ka Phillips, October 23, 2012
Hunting/Fishing
Fishermen Enjoy Higher Lake Levels, Rain Helps City Water Supply- After soaking rains over the weekend lake levels are up, allowing fishermen to get back out onto the lake with water levels back at the boat docks. The rain also allows cities to be in better shape for water supplies.
KRBC News, Kristen Anderson, October 1, 2012
Texas Deer Herd in Better Shape than recent drought Years- Early year rains gave the deer herd a boost, resulting in higher quality antlers and fauns compared to the previous two years.
The Austin American Statesman, Mike Leggett, October 10, 2012
Autumn’s Arrival Ushers in Fine Coastal Fishing- As fall comes to pass along the Texas coast the annual migration of many fish and crustaceans begins to take place. White shrimp are beginning to move from the marshes out into the Gulf of Mexico for the winter along with the predators that hunt them, meaning good fishing for those who go out on the water.
The Houston Chronicle, Shannon Tompkins, October 17, 2012
Recreation/Leisure/Athletics
Tuberville Campers Ready for Rain, Cold Overnight- Students at Texas Tech camp out to score the best seats for the upcoming home game, but a strong cold front is headed their way. To stay warm students are bundling up and even spooning together to keep the cold out.
KCBD News, Alex Zielinski, October 5, 2012
Rain Makes Muddy Mess at ACL- After six-tenths of an inch of rain fell in Austin over the weekend Zilker Park became a big mud pit for concert goers at ACL. Fans made the best of the day though, donning rain boots and having a good time despite the mess.
KTBC News, October 15, 2012
Homecoming Bonfire back at SFA- “Absent last year because of wildfire worries and drought-spawned burn bans, the SFA Homecoming Bonfire returned this year.”
The Daily Sentinel, Andrew D. Brosig, October 19, 2012
