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Burn Bans

County-wide burn bans through October 1

September 1 – Little recent rain has forced Harrison County to extend their burn ban another 90 days. Harrison County Fire Marshal says that recent forecasts have shown little rain in the future furthering the severe drought in the area.

September 17 – After the Rockwall County Keetch-Byram index dropped from 634 to 311, county officials have decided lift the burn ban placed on the county on August 27th.

Drought

Monthly Change in Drought Monitor Classification

U.S. Drought Monitor, September 7, 2010
U.S. Drought Monitor, September 28, 2010

September 30 – Four East Texas counties are suffering with drought conditions and now officials say that they are at risk for wildfires, withering pastures, and trees losing limb.

September 30 – Central Texas ranchers are very happy for the recent rains because they are still recouping from losses they took during last year's drought.

Water Supply

September 4 – Citizens and lawmakers are taking action to protect Texas communicates from future drought. The Texas Water Plan is a document that citizens and politicians have drafted to help protect Texas' water needs for the next fifty years.

September 11 – Leaders of dozen urban and rural water management entities in South and Central Texas are working hard to securing the region's future water and endangered species during times of drought.

September 11 – Heavy rains and flooding caused a wastewater lift station to overflow in Flower Mound. Experts believe that about 165,000 gallons of waste water was released into the area.

September 23 – For the second time during this year's hurricane season, the International Boundary and Water Commission has decided to release water into a spillway that travels throughout the Rio Grande Valley.

September 24 – The water dispute going on in Central and South Texas has been temporarily resolved.

September 26 – Richardson homeowners asked the city to approve an irrigation system where rainwater would be collected and used in watering processes.

September 26 – Construction is going to begin soon on a $12 million reclamation plant planned by the Colorado River Municipal Water District, which officials say will be a sure source of water during drought events.

September 27 – Richardson homeowners are asking the city to become more environmentally friendly when it comes to irrigation practices.

September 29 – Authorities are meeting in Seguin to discuss the building of a pipeline that will move water from counties east of Austin to San Antonio.

Agricultural Impacts

September 2 – Hay supplies in Texas are critical in some areas because of the past weather. An unusually wet, cool winter and early spring delayed summer grasses coming out of dormancy. After they were out of dormancy, a mid-summer drought followed by high daily temperatures brought hay production to a halt.

September 5 – Studies have shown that a cow having undergone heat stress can suffer from damage to their ovarian follicles. Yet cattle producers believe that test-tube calf embryos are more likely to survive Texas summers.

September 6 – Texas' grape wineries are excited about this year's grape harvest and are calling this the harvest of the century. According to winery owners Texas weather helped the bumper crop grow.

September 10 – August and the first few weeks of September has brought almost perfect grapes to Texas but rain, cooler temperatures and tropical storm weather could almost ruined Texas' bountiful grape harvest.

September 12 – In 2008 and 2009, drought ruined a large percentage of hay and forced cattle producers to use supplemental feed, but this year has been completely different. Plentiful rain had brought a bumper crop of hay to South Texas and cattle producers couldn't be happier.

September 14 – According to AgriLife Extension in Central Texas, growers and producers are cleaning up from the floodwaters brought to the area by Tropical Storm Hermine. In the Coastal Bend rain brought from Hermine has slowed hay and cotton harvests.

September 16 – Plenty of rain this year in South Texas and Central Texas has provided farmers with a bumper crop of hay.

September 18 – The Texas Crop Report reports the Panhandle of Texas to be dry and hot, with soil moisture levels varying from short to adequate. Additionally, winter wheat is starting to be planted.

September 18 – Summer rains in the Seguin area have led to the production of bumper crops of corm and milo for farmers.

September 22 – Despite all the types of weather seen around the state, Texas apple growers have still managed to keep crops around and looking great.

September 22 – Aflatoxin, a naturally occurring chemical found on grain, is growing abundantly on corn this season thanks to late June and July rains and has led to a disastrous crop for some this season.

September 23 – Driving through Taylor, one might think they see snow but it is actually the abundant cotton crop being harvested.

September 23 – The massive amounts of rain from this summer's tropical storms and hurricanes have intensified the armyworm infestations in pastures and hay meadows.

September 25 – According to the Texas Crop Report, the South Plains received about an inch of rain but it was not enough to keep soil moisture levels from being below average.

September 27 – Armyworms have become more intense since Tropical Storm Hermine hit Texas, but according to officials, there is no indication that the population is actually larger than in recent years.

September 28 – Summer rains helped corn farmers in Wildorado have one of the best seasons seen in a long time.

September 30 – Nueces County has seen 15.5 inches of rain to date and this has turned much of the farmland in the area from deserts to swamps in a matter of days.

Inclement Weather

Flooding

September 6 – Tropical storm Hermine brought Downpours and flash flood warnings to Harris County over the Labor Day weekend.

September 7 – After a heavy rain event, many Big Country Lakes are close to full, including Lake Abilene, which is less than a foot below Spillway. During the rain event residents were evacuated after more than six inches of rain fell.

September 8 – During a downpour brought on by Tropical Storm Hermine, a man was swept away in Johnson County floodwaters. Johnson County authorities have now declared the area disaster area after Hermine swept through.

September 10 – As tropical downpours slammed into North Texas, residents found out the hard way that urbanization can enhance flash flooding. Five to ten inches of rain fell in some areas and experts say that the replacement of native grasslands and woods with roofs, roads and parking lots worsened the flooding.

September 10 – A man whose car was swept away by flood waters in Bexar County has been found. Divers recovered the man's body from a rain swollen Cibolo Creek.

September 12 – Volunteers are cleaning up the shores of Lake Travis after trash and debris has been washed up, and authorities say that recent rains have not helped the matter.

September 12 – The National Weather Service in El Paso was forced to put out flash flood warnings after thunderstorms hit the El Paso area.

September 13 – Tropical Depression Hermine flooded out more than 120 homes when it hit the Arlington area, and the city is now seeking federal assistance to buyout some of the homes. Officials say that heavy rain pushed Rush Creek out of its banks and sent 6 feet of water into some homes and apartments.

September 17 – The eye of Tropical Storm Hermine hit Blanco County dropping nearly 7 inches of rain, causing the Pedernales River to reach a high water mark f 19 feet.

September 19 – A low pressure system accompanied by a trough along the Texas-Mexico border brought more than 6 inches of rain to the Brownsville area, causing extensive flooding.

September 19 – Heavy rains across the Rio Grande Valley flooded out 60 homes, dropped about 6 inches of rain, and caused major flooding in the area.

September 21 – A the body of a Corpus Christi man whose car was swept away in flood waters during a rain event has been found in car in water at Oso Creek.

September 21 – More rain and flooding in the Brownsville area forced National Weather Service forecasters to issue a flash flood watch.

September 22 – State teams will descend on Corpus Christi to assess damage and help flood victims that were pounded by Hurricane Karl.

September 25 – Flooding in North Texas occurred after thunderstorms hit the region, with some areas receiving 3 to 5 inches of rain, which prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood warning.

September 25 – As Nolan Creek began to flood because of the rain Tropical Storm Hermine dropped on the Central Texas, emergency response crews came through and helped save many residents in Belton.

September 26 – Belton residents are looking for answers about a recent flood event that damaged many homes and businesses along the Nolan and Salado Creeks.

September 28 – Two groups opposing anti-flood measure in the Houston area that will cost the city around $8 billion are facing an uphill battle.

Heat

September 1 – The Houston area saw at least five heat related deaths during the summer of 2010.

September 3 – The heat is to blame for the death of an 89 year-old Galveston women. Authorities say that when the body was found the temperature inside the home was 88 degrees at 1:30 in the morning.

September 17 – The mother of a two year old toddler that died in a hot van during the summer months has started the America Look Acknowledge and Notify (ALAN) group designed to increase awareness so that these deaths may be prevented in the future.

September 17 – The fourth hot-vehicle fatality in North Texas happened when a 2-year-old boy was left in a hot day care van for hours.

September 29 – 48 children died in hot cars and vans during the summer of 2010 across the United States, setting a new record. The previous record was 47 children set back in the summer of 2005.

Hurricanes/Tropics

September 5 – A Kemah attorney thinks expanded the Ike Dike across the entire Texas seashore would be cost effective and beneficial to citizens. The city of Kemah, along with many other cities along the coast, has no protection when a hurricane strikes but a shoreline protection barrier might help save citizens and cities.

September 6 – Hurricane experts are proposing a high-tech seawall, which would act as a giant shutter that would protect the coast during tropical storms and hurricanes.

September 7 – Rainfall and flooding brought to Llano County by Tropical Storm Hermine forced school delays as multiple districts pushed Wednesday classes back by two hours.

September 7 – Tropical storm Hermine dropped about 3 inches of rain in the Brownsville area and uprooted trees in southern Cameron County. The storm also cut off power to more than a thousand residents in the Rio Grande Valley.

September 7 – Tropical Storm Hermine claimed at least one life in Central Texas. The Storm also caused flooding and damaged many homes and businesses in Bell County.

September 9 – A dike closed by Hurricane Ike is finally open after 2 years. The Hurricane destroyed bait camps, washed away most of the roads, and wrecked the boat ramps.

September 11 – Cameron, Willacy, and 39 other counties have been declared disaster areas after Tropical Storm Hermine ripped through much of the state. Damage resulting from the direct effects of the storm spread from Mexico all the way up to Dallas.

September 13 – The American Red Cross offered storm clean-up services in Williamson County after the area was hit by Tropical Storm Hermine. Hermine dumped more than a foot of water over the area and flooded many neighborhoods.

September 13 – Two years after Hurricane Ike hit the Galveston area residents around the area say they are now facing complex and costly questions on how to protect themselves if another hurricane hits the area.

September 14 – Officials in Austin say that two more bodies have been recovered from Tropical Storm Hermine flood waters. This brought the death toll because of Tropical Storm Hermine to eight in Texas.

September 14 – Record rains were recorded in Hill County, located between Waco and Dallas, because of Tropical Storm Hermine. The hardest hit area was in the western part of the county, from Aquilla to Whitney to Blum, where rainfall amounts were well over a foot.

September 20 – One person was left missing after Hurricane Karl brought rough weather to the Texas coast.

September 20 – Residents affected by Hurricane Alex will soon have a place to get help. The Texas Division of Emergency Management will soon be opening a FEMA office in Slaton.

Severe Weather

September 2 – 9,000 North Texas residents were left without power after two storms swept through the area. The same storms are blames for starting house fires in Southlake and Euless.

September 2 – Parts of the South Plains received 70 mph winds when a line of storms pounded the area with wind damage, hail, and rain. 800 people in Lubbock and 150 people in Levelland were left without power because of the storms.

September 5 – Presidio residents know that because of the weather, the power goes out all the time. To stop this from happening, a four-megawatt sodium-sulfur battery system has been added to the Energy Reliability Council of Texas power grid.

September 8 – Multiple funnel clouds were reported in the Dallas area as authorities confirmed at least one tornado and no deaths. Damage was reported in Ferris, Seagoville, Dallas, Highland Park and Lindsay in Cooke County.

September 9 – Twelve families were displaced after a tornado swept through North Texas. The community of Seagoville sustained heavy damage and an apartment complex had its roof ripped off.

September 10 – 115 mph winds were clocked as a tornado skittered through an industrial area in Dallas. The tornado blew down concrete walls, ripped roofs apart, snapped power poles, and knocked down signs.

September 12 – Rain and thunderstorms are to blame for a power outage that struck Southeast Texas residents.

September 15 – A quick-moving storm ripped through East El Paso and the Lower Valley and dropped gold ball sized hail in some areas. Two families were displaced from the storm after their roofs collapsed.

Other Climate Impacts

Air/Water Quality

September 2 – Lack of wind and high temperatures offer the perfect recipe for smog in the North Dallas area. According to officials at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality Dallas had at least nine days of high ozone levels in August.

September 24 – Officials say that the pollution a planned coal powered plant will put into the atmosphere in Bay City outweighs the need for jobs.

September 24 – Recent rain has helped mold grow everywhere and as it continues to grow, allergy suffers are heading to the doctors more frequently.

September 27 – Dust particles found in rural Texas are subject to testing by the EPA because they are a tenth of the width of standard dust particles.

September 28 – Officials say that the West Central Texas fall allergy season is in full gear and will not slow down until the first full freeze hits the area.

Animals/Aquatic Life

September 5 – After 60 years the whooping cranes may be returning to the United States. Plans are in the works to reintroduces the cranes in the marshes of Louisiana coast.

September 8 – With Montgomery County seeing more rain, the mosquitoes are running rampant and now the first report of West Nile virus in 2010 has been reported in the county.

September 19 – Heavy flooding brought on by Tropical Storm Hermine in Bell County has mosquitoes out in full force.

September 26 – Ten inches of rain have fallen over Corpus Christi, and not only has the rain caused large amounts of flooding, but the rain is also keeping bird watchers from enjoying their pastime.

Climate

September 1 – Texas A&M is doing its part to help reduce greenhouse emissions while building a new Heat and Power Generation System. Texas A&M received a $10 Million DOE Grant for the New Combined Heat and Power Generation System which will help power the ever growing A&M campus.

September 29 – Even though heavy rain temporarily interrupted a forum hosted by Aqua Water Supply Corporation, the presentations given at the forum indicated that Central Texas is headed towards a drier future.

Construction

September 20 – The Lower Neches Valley Authority is suing a construction company, claiming that a roof the company was repairing was left unsecured during Hurricane Ike caused further damage.

Economics

September 6 – The Texas Workforce Commission is offering financial assistance to flood victims in Laredo. Last July, when the Rio Grande flooded, many people became unemployed.

September 13 – A popular island motel that was damaged by Hurricane Ike is officially being torn down. The family that owns the Sandpiper Motel says they plan to keep the office building of the motel and to add to their upscale RV park.

September 15 – The Sentry Select Insurance Company is suing Du Pont Invista and ExxonMobil, arguing that the two companies tried to return equipment that was damaged from Hurricane Ike.

September 20 – Flood aid is now available in Lubbock County if you lost work due to recent flooding caused by the remnants of Hurricane Alex in July.

September 21 – Governor Rick Perry declared 13 counties a federal disaster area after Tropical Storm Hermine hit Texas. Some of the counties affected included Bell, Coryell, Hill, and Williamson.

September 25 – A majority of the homes that received flood damages from a recent flood in Corpus Christi did not have flood insurance, and now many of the home owners are paying the price.

September 28 – Even though there were many complaints in the Dallas area about the new smart electric meters CoServ says it will still be placing a new smart meter at all of its service locations.

Homes/Gardening/Trees

September 3 – Even though the summer 2010 heat wave is over, residents in Fort Worth are still paying the price. Foundation repair companies say that the August drought led to many foundations cracking and in need of repair.

September 11 – Armyworms have begun to invade many Texas towns, and experts say that army worms usually appear after a drought, and one such area where the pests are currently destroying lawns is in Lago Vista.

September 16 – An El Paso roof came crashing down after a rain storm hit the Borderland. Home owners say it is the fault of the roof contractor for starting the work during the monsoon season.

September 16 – Allergists in the Dallas-Fort area say that because of all the rain in the spring helping ragweed, grass and trees grown this autumn will be very agonizing for allergy sufferers.

September 18 – Residents of the Arlington area whose homes were destroyed or damaged in a recent flooding are interested in having their homes bought by the city.

September 24 – Recent flooding across the Texas Mexico border has increased the threat of an incurable plant disease attacking Texas citrus trees.

Hunting/Fishing

September 1 – Predictions of an early winter in the North and water on the ground in Texas has the Lone Star State set up for a great waterfowl season. Biologists say that the migration patterns of waterfowl have changed due to climate changes and agriculture changes in Texas and states further north.

September 4 – Prospects for duck, goose hunting have improved across Texas and especially in the South Plains and the Panhandle.

September 15 – Even though water levels are low at Lake Sam Rayburn, East Texas fishermen are urging residents to get to the lake and fish. The corps of engineers tends to lower the lake levels when a hurricane is in the area but the fish are still biting.

September 22 – The recent cool front that passed through Texas could help to boost the waning teal season.

September 29 – Anglers on the coast have had to endure many weather events recently but that has not stopped them from trying to find the perfect trout or redfish.

September 30 – Deer hunters believe that this season might be one of the best seasons in years because of all the recent rains.

Recreation/Leisure/Athletics

September 3 – Businesses on Lake Travis are booming now that lake levels are back to normal. After years of drought, lake businesses are now thriving ahead of the Labor Day holiday.

September 8 – Heavy rains from Tropical Storm Hermine flooded the Six Flags over Texas Park in Arlington. Many rides and much of the park grounds were underwater after the storm passed.

September 9 – During a soccer practice at Crippen Elementary School in New Caney, a man and a young girl were struck by lightning.

September 9 – A Texas A&M cross country invitational was canceled due to inclement weather that flooded the cross country course.

September 14 – LPGA announced that it will not return to the Houston area, saying that Houston weather is too unpredictable and the administrative staff is worried about dealing with thunderstorms or even hurricanes.

September 15 – Although Tropical Storm Hermine is gone, water levels in Austin are not necessarily dropping. The Austin Fire Department extended a ban on Lake Austin and Lake Lady Bird and said many parks outside Austin's city limits are still closed for flood repair.

September 18 – The Barton Springs Pool is finally open after volunteers cleared away tons of debris and silt brought by Tropical Storm Hermine.

September 27 – Abilene picked up 0.85 inches of rain, which led to the cancellation of the 16th annual Big County Balloon Fest.

Roads/Traffic/Travel

September 3 – Drivers on MoPac Expressway in Austin will now be safer when driving in the rain. The Texas Department of Transportation has begun testing a new rain-safe pavement on MoPac Boulevard that experts say dries faster after a rain event.

September 4 – A Conroe woman died in a car crash on rain-slick roads, which occurred during a downpour on FM 149 just south of Karen Switch Road intersection.

September 16 – Storms that flooded Northeast El Paso on a Thursday afternoon also caused four vehicles to stall and left one engine flooded.

September 19 – Corpus Christi officials reported major problems because of heavy rainfall and police had to respond to many stranded vehicles all over the city.

September 21 – Heavy rain in the Houston area caused flooding on Highway 59 near the 610 Loop after a clogged inlet hindered water drainage from the roadway.

September 23 – Overnight rains across the Borderland caused street flooding across El Paso, with water gushing over curbsides after only 10 minutes of precipitation.

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