Societal
Impacts of Climate on Texas: August 2011 Report
Office of the
State Climatologist
September
1, 2011
Dr. John
Nielsen-Gammon, State Climatologist
Brent
McRoberts, Graduate Assistant
Justin Womack,
Undergraduate Assistant
Burn
Bans/Drought/Fires/Water Supply
Burn Bans
August
1, 2011
Burn Bans were on the rise across the state.
August
19, 2011
A record-breaking 250 counties in Texas were under a burn ban.
Drought
August
2, 2011
Low lake levels lead to a find of Columbia shuttle debris in East Texas.
August
4, 2011
Texas reached the record of the worst one-year drought ever.
August 6, 2011 The worst one-year drought
was estimated to have cost $7 billion in damages.
August
7, 2011
The drought provided researchers with valuable and ample data concerning
dry-resistant crops in the High Plains.
August 10,
2011
Experts from Texas A&M University provided tips on how to handle the
drought and heat wave.
August 14,
2011
East Texans prayed for rain and relief from the drought.
August
15, 2011
The town of Robert Lee faced extinction as they battled the devastating
drought.
August
16, 2011
The current drought evoked memories from the dire drought of the 1950s.
August 25, 2011 Kendall County officials
have declared a disaster situation due to the drought.
Fires
August
8, 2011
Crews battled a blaze in Burnet County.
August
13, 2011
The Ranger Hill Fire was halted by rain near Strawn.
August
17, 2011
The heat made fire fighting more dangerous in the Rio Grande Valley.
August 18, 2011 Smith County folks struggled
against the numerous fires.
August 22, 2011 Numerous wildfires spawned
in Hays County.
August
25, 2011
Lightning and high winds sparked fifteen wildfires in Lufkin.
August
26, 2011
Six wildfires popped up in Groesbeck when a thunderstorm passed through the
area.
August
28, 2011
Firefighters waged war against an intense grassfire in Converse while enduring
record temperatures.
Water Supply
August
1, 2011 Lake
Houston water levels dropped dramatically.
August
3, 2011
Cotton farmers began to transfer from irrigation to supplement in Lamb County.
August
5, 2011
Boerne faced stage three water restrictions because of the lack of rain.
August
9, 2011
A reverse osmosis treatment plant provided Wichita Falls with up to 20% of its
water this summer.
August
11, 2011
West Texans turned to sewage treatment plants for renewable water sources.
August
12, 2011
The TCEQ temporarily suspended the water rights of river users in the San Saba
and Llano Basins.
August
13, 2011
Water wells ran dry in Brenham.
August 16, 2011 Officials transferred 50
million gallons of Lake Conroe water to Lake Houston.
August
19, 2011
A groundwater emergency was declared in Caddo Parish.
August
25, 2011
Angelina County received a proper dose of precipitation.
August
27, 2011
Texarkana pursued its residents to conserve water supplies.
August
31, 2011
Two towns in Lavaca County continued their voluntary water restrictions.
Agricultural
Impacts
August
3, 2011 The
De Leon Peach and Melon Festival provided sweeter-than-ever melons this year
because of the drought.
August
5, 2011
The latest crop report explained the dire needs across the state.
August
6, 2011
Cattle ranchers endured a terrible dilemma of selling all of their livestock.
August
8, 2011
The timber industry in East Texas suffered long-term losses.
August
10, 2011
The drought evaporated an Evergreen girls 4-H project and the hopes of a
scholarship for college.
August
11, 2011
Grasshopper populations have boomed in the dry, sparse conditions.
August
14, 2011
A new drought and wildlife website was made available to the public to use as a
resource.
August
17, 2011
The latest agricultural report indicated a net $5.2 billion in losses to the
drought.
August
18, 2011
Vineyards and wineries gusted well with the consistent heat this summer.
August
20, 2011
West Texas cotton farmers were slammed by the drought.
August
21, 2011
South Texas cotton growers hoped for a better outcome, and they may get it.
August
23, 2011
Peach and grape production was slammed this year in the face of weather.
August
24, 2011
The peanut crop in Texas dwindled this summer.
August
26, 2011
Drought was the underlying focus of the Cattle Conference in Big Country.
August
27, 2011 New drought-resistant agricultural technology was unveiled
at Texas Tech University.
August
28, 2011
Wheat farmers, in the High Plains, observed unyielding crops as the harvest
deadline approached.
Inclement
Weather
August
13, 2011
Heavy thunderstorms provided precipitous relief for North Texas.
August
22, 2011
Fort Worth played a major role in becoming a Weather Ready Nation for severe
weather.
August
28, 2011
La Nina predictions were posted in Amarillo as a dry, warm winter seems to be
in the cards.
Flooding
August
11, 2011
Severe storms brought heavy rains and flooding to Lubbock.
Heat
August 1, 2011 A Killeen newspaper shared
the dangers of the deadly heat this summer.
August
3, 2011
The heat proved to be fatal as the death toll rose to thirteen in Dallas.
August
6, 2011
Heat indices soared across Texas as Heat Advisories were put into effect.
August
7, 2011
Austin broke its heat record with twenty-two consecutive 100-degree days.
August 10,
2011 In
Temple, the heat interfered with Blood Drives.
August
12, 2011
City officials declared a Level 2 heat advisory for San Antonio.
August
14, 2011
Houston tied its previous record of consecutive triple-digit days.
August 19, 2011 Fort Bend was under a Heat
Advisory for several days.
August 21, 2011 Students in the Big Country
headed to school in triple-digit heat.
August
29, 2011
San Antonio witnessed three consecutive days of record-breaking temperatures.
August 30, 2011 Tips were provided to
properly handle medication in the heat.
August 31,
2011 El
Paso saw record heat this summer.
Hurricanes
August
7, 2011
A Seguin reporter recollected an important interview with hurricane research
pioneer, Dr. Robert H. Simpson.
August
17, 2011
The TWIA offered useful tips for hurricane preparedness this season.
August
22, 2011
Hurricane Irene twisted through the Bahamas and towards the East Coast.
August
31, 2011
A tropical system in the Gulf is expected to be name-worthy.
Severe Weather
August 13,
2011
Lightning and hail caused outages in El Paso.
August
14, 2011
A lightning strike sparked a house fire in East County.
August 18, 2011 Lightning canceled a high
school football scrimmage in Huntsville.
August 24, 2011 Severe storms left at least
72,000 homes and businesses without power in northern Houston.
Other Climate
Impacts
August
8, 2011
A Weatherford paper signaled a rise in violence and extreme behaviors along
with the increasing temperatures.
August
9, 2011
The State Climatologist gave his input on the possible recurrence of La Nina
this winter.
August
20, 2011
San Antonio mayor declared a Climate Awareness Month.
Air/Water Quality
August
5, 2011
Houston reduced its ozone watch days as the air quality avoided summer threats.
August
10, 2011
Mold crept in on a Fort Bend high school during the summer months.
August
20, 2011
Algae infested Lake Texoma as water levels plunged.
August
29, 2011
An ozone watch was forecasted for the Houston area.
Animals/Aquatic Life
August
4, 2011
The drought drove in unwanted pests into unsuspecting homes.
August
11, 2011
The Austin bat population was severely affected by the drought in Central
Texas.
August
15, 2011
Snake bites increased in East Texas due to the extreme temperatures.
August
19, 2011
Horse rescues were on the rise this summer.
August
26, 2011
The drought portended to push the Barton Springs salamanders to extinction.
August
28, 2011
The health issues were raised concerning West Nile Virus amidst the drought.
August 30, 2011 A mysterious massive fish
kill was reported in Grapevine and rain was a possible suspect.
Construction
August
21, 2011
Corpus Christi voted on a renovation of the weather-deteriorated courthouse.
August
25, 2011
Regents approved to build a new UTMB Hospital in Houston in the wake of
Hurricane Ike.
Economics
August
2, 2011
ERCOT issued a power emergency for Texas.
August
3, 2011
The price of beef rose as a result of the drought.
August
6, 2011
A/C Repair companies were overwhelmed by the increased demand in North Texas.
August
9, 2011
Texans wallets succumbed to the outrageous electric bills this summer.
August
16, 2011
Food prices were expected to rise over the coming year.
August
23, 2011
Recent hurricanes were believed to cause a surge in storm insurance.
August
23, 2011
As agriculture waned across the state, many non-profits have suffered in the
drought.
August
30, 2011
Hurricane Irene was expected to have an impact on gas prices.
Homes/Gardening/Trees
August 4, 2011 Texans received energy
conversation tips from this article.
August
5, 2011
Crepe Myrtles were a popular landscaping choice because of their
drought-resistant attributes.
August
12, 2011
Master Gardeners trained folks on how to garden during the drought in
Huntsville.
August 15,
2011
Drought landscaping tips were provided for Corpus Christi residents.
August
17, 2011
Trees experienced a parched death in Southeast Texas amidst the drought.
August
24, 2011
Artificial grass became a huge hit this summer in the DFW.
August
26, 2011
A Corpus Christi horticulturist surveyed the need to re-mulch all the plants
suffering under heat stress.
Hunting/Fishing
August
7, 2011
Hunters geared up as the waterfowl expectations set the bar high.
August
12, 2011
Hunting and fishing was threatened by a drought-withered habitat.
August
16, 2011
Dove hunting was expected to be good this year because of the drought.
August
29, 2011
A Central Texas Game Warden proposed to limit the hunting this season.
Recreation/Leisure/Athletics
August
1, 2011
The heat dominated the first day of high school football practice in North
Texas.
August
2, 2011
Volunteer cyclists delivered hot meals to the homebound in Austin.
August
9, 2011
A Lubbock man created a humorous situation out of a dire circumstance.
August
15, 2011
The Lufkin Zoo used icy treats to keep the animals cool in the heat.
August
21, 2011
Stylish trends dominated the summer scene.
August
22, 2011
Leander ISD combated the heat and budget cuts as classes began.
August
23, 2011
The Highland Village Balloon Festival was successful in the daytime heat.
August
27, 2011
Batfest survived the scorching temperatures in Austin.
August
29, 2011
Keller schools coped with the heat by providing entertainment indoors.
August
30, 2011
Artificial football fields in Wylie were putting out higher numbers for
temperatures than ever before.
August
31, 2011
The University of Texas at Arlington cancelled its 22nd annual
Oozeball Tournament due to concerns for water waste.
Roads/Traffic/Travel
August
2, 2011
State parks witnessed large crowds this summer, despite the drought.
August
4, 2011
Heat caused the roads to buckle in DFW.
August
18, 2011
Car batteries met their match against the summer heat in East Texas.
August
20, 2011
Some drivers believed that the heat was helping.
August
24, 2011
More road gators were placed on the highways this summer to clean up the
vehicle debris.
August
27, 2011
At DFW International Airport, fifty-two flights departing for the East Coast
were cancelled because of Hurricane Irene.