Texas Governor Declares Statewide Drought Disaster

[southerngale]

We got 1 - 2 1/2 inches of rain in the area a few days ago, but we're still in a burn ban. Most of the water was soaked up like a sponge.

Governor Declares Statewide Drought Disaster

Reported by Scott Lawrence
January 19, 2006 - 10:47AM

NEWS RELEASE FROM GOVERNOR RICK PERRY'S OFFICE

AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today declared a disaster in all 254 Texas counties due to severe drought conditions, and requested that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency provide disaster relief assistance for Texas farms and ranches that have suffered economic and physical losses as a result.

Today’s action builds upon Perry’s ongoing efforts to secure drought assistance for Texas farms and ranches. Since early summer, Perry has requested assistance for 113 drought-affected counties on behalf of local officials. To date, the USDA has approved 54 of those requests. Perry asked that the USDA expedite all pending requests, and also approve all remaining Texas counties for assistance.

“Our farmers and ranchers have been suffering from extremely dry conditions, as well as devastating wildfires,” Perry said. “I am asking the USDA to help all farmers and ranchers in Texas who have been affected so they can recover.”

If Perry’s statewide request is approved, qualified farm operators in all Texas counties will be eligible for low-interest emergency loans from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Producers can borrow up to 100 percent of actual production for physical losses, or a maximum of $500,000. The agency also offers additional programs, such as technical assistance, to eligible farmers.

On Dec. 26, Perry declared a statewide disaster due to the threat of wildfires caused by extremely dry weather conditions. On Jan. 11, President Bush approved Perry’s request for a statewide Presidential Disaster Declaration, making Texans whose homes and property were destroyed or damaged by wildfires eligible to receive individual assistance, and local jurisdictions that have been fighting the costly fires will be eligible for public assistance.

Dry conditions are expected to continue in the coming weeks and months. For a list of Texas counties that already have been approved for USDA assistance, or counties that currently have a pending assistance request, please visit Governor Perry’s website at http://www.governor.state.us.

http://www.kfdm.com/engine.pl?station=k ... local.html

[Extremeweatherguy]

we are about to see some major relief though this weekend and next week. May be that will be enough to ease some of the drought.

[Tyler]

It will help alot and it will ease some of the drought, but the drought will still persist afterwards. Hopefully we can get many chances of rain within a few days of each other to finally end this drought. But, its going to take a while.

[Extremeweatherguy]

It will help alot and it will ease some of the drought, but the drought will still persist afterwards. Hopefully we can get many chances of rain within a few days of each other to finally end this drought. But, its going to take a while.

what we need are a few good tropical systems. I am willing to take the winds and rain in order to restore normal conditions over the state.

[Tyler]

Ya, that would definitely put a dent in the drought!

[Aslkahuna]

According to the latest drought outlook through April from CPC which came out today, East Tx will see some limited inprovement while the rest of TX will see the drought persist or worsen while those parts of TX still only abnormally dry are suppose develop drought conditions. For us in AZ, those areas in Drought will persist or get worse while the remainder of the State is sipposed to develop full drought conditions.

Steve

[Extremeweatherguy]

According to the latest drought outlook through April from CPC which came out today, East Tx will see some limited inprovement while the rest of TX will see the drought persist or worsen while those parts of TX still only abnormally dry are suppose develop drought conditions. For us in AZ, those areas in Drought will persist or get worse while the remainder of the State is sipposed to develop full drought conditions.

Steve

Though I respect the CPC, I do not agree always with their forecasts. In this case, I think they may be right but for a whole I have come to realize that they are not. I have seen many of thier long range rainfall and temperature guidance charts be completely wrong, which has led me to lose trust in their ability to accurately predict long term events. Lets hope that they are wrong for TX and for AZ in this case...because I am ready to see this drought end!

[gboudx]

Back in October/November, the prediction for Texas was above avg precip with below avg temps. They got it right, if you just flip-flop the precip and temps.

[TexasStooge]

What so weird about this is that the rain falls apart when going to the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, yet it redevelops going away from the DFW metroplex.

[Tyler]

I don't think you'll have to worry about that next week, you guys are in for some rain.

[Aslkahuna]

Unfortunately, the CPC outlooks for AZ since October have been bang on as we have indeed had above normal temps and well below normal precip.

Steve