An Interactive Look at the Texas Drought

Background

Just how much damage has the record single-year drought done to Texas? For the first time, you can see an interactive map and several visualizations that show just how severe the drought has been. On our new interactive web app, ‘Dried Out: Confronting the Texas Drought,’ you can see the intensity of the worst single-year drought in Texas’ history; learn more about the hard choices the state has to make; see the drought’s progression and its impact on the state; explore the pros and cons of the policy decisions that need to be made and share your stories.

See for yourself at our new interactive webpage, Dried Out: Confronting the Texas Drought.

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August 30, 2012

‘Like a Nuclear Explosion:’ The Fire in Delhi

During last year’s record-breaking wildfire season, most of the nation’s attention was focused on the massive Bastrop Complex fire that raged throughout September. But in the first days of the wildfires, several others burned out of control. One of those was in Delhi, in Caldwell County, south of Austin. Rick Chafey, a firefighter in McMahan, […]

August 29, 2012

Hurricane Isaac: Some Possible Upsides of a Devastating Storm

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August 23, 2012

How the Midwest Drought is Affecting a Still-Recovering Texas

Remember last year when the Texas drought forced ranchers to sell off their herds? Well, times have changed.

August 16, 2012

Drought Update: No Improvement Here, But El Nino is Coming

Things have been hot and dry lately, but Texas could be in for a wetter fall.

August 9, 2012

San Antonio’s Lessons for a Nation Parched By Drought

As drought grips parts of the country less accustomed to water shortages, folks here think they may have some lessons for other cities.

August 8, 2012

Welcome to the Dry, Hot American Summer

New climate data out this week confirms what many parched, sweaty Americans have been suspecting: It is hot, way hotter than normal. The numbers from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) show that July was more than three degrees hotter than normal, making it the hottest month ever. The previous record was back in 1936. […]

August 3, 2012

While Drought Hurts Farming, It’s Actually Helping the Gulf

How the extreme drought in the Midwest is actually helping marine life in the Gulf of Mexico.

July 24, 2012

Feds Open Up Conservation Land To Drought-Stricken Ranchers

Farmers and ranchers will be allowed to graze cattle and grow hay on land typically reserved for conservation under an initiative announced by the US Department of Agriculture on Monday. US Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told reporters that the move aims to increase the food supply for cattle in parts of the country gripped […]

July 23, 2012

The Drought Killed Texas Trees, But Not How You Might Think

How the extreme heat and drought made trees vulnerable to attack.

July 19, 2012

Drought Update: The Week the Rains Came to Texas

Extra! Extra! It’s the Drought Monitor Map we’ve been waiting for – the one that tallies last week’s plentiful rains. As expected, much progress was made. Perhaps the most notable change on the map: almost all of Southeast Texas is in the white, meaning completely drought-free and likely to stay that way. In addition, the […]