Texas Removed From Worst Category of U.S. Drought Monitor For First Time Since 2012

Associated Press
Published: May 14,2015




 

Just one year ago, more than 20 percent of Texas was labeled under the most extreme category of the U.S. Drought Monitor – "exceptional." But for the first time in nearly three years, the entire Lone Star State has been removed from that distinction.

Some Texas rainfall totals from May 1-13, 2015.

In fact, more than three-fourths of Texas is no longer in any drought at all. That's big news for a state that has been ravaged by drought since 2010.
During the most recent of its weekly assessments, however, the Drought Monitor found more than 2.7 million people are still affected by drought in Texas, so the state hasn't completely recovered from the long-term drought just yet. Sections of the state were still listed Thursday as abnormally dry or in moderate, severe or extreme drought.
(MORE: California Celebrities Now Being 'Drought Shamed')
Parts of the Houston metro area received more than 10 inches of rain this week. Corsicana last weekend was doused with 11 inches of rain.
Drought-stricken Wichita Falls reports lakes that help supply the city's water continue to rise due to recent storms. Combined levels for Lake Arrowhead and Lake Kickapoo topped 50 percent Tuesday.
Wichita Falls has already picked up more rain this year - 15.79 inches through May 13 - than in all of 2011, their record driest year - 12.97 inches. At least one inch of rain has fallen four separate days this month, two more than occurred in all of 2011.
More rainfall is on the way for Texas in the coming days, and that should continue to shrink the area that's still highlighted by the Drought Monitor. On the other hand, additional rainfall could actually be bad news for parts of the state that have already seen dangerous flooding, which may cause water to rise over roadways and into homes.
MORE: Drought's Effect on Texas