Societal
Impacts of Climate on Texas: October Report
Office
of the State Climatologist
November
1, 2009
Dr.
John Nielsen-Gammon, State Climatologist
Brent
McRoberts,
Marissa
Pazos, Undergraduate Assistant
Burn Bans/Drought/Fires/Water Supply
Burn
Bans
Drought
October 1 El Niρo is expected
to bring an increase in rainfall to the San Antonio, which would be good news
to the extreme drought that has gripped the area for all of 2009. However, the
forecasted precipitation is based on probabilities, and there is some worry for
the San Antonio Water Systems if the forecast does not pan out as expected.
October
3
In Nacogdoches the month of September brought nearly twice the amount of precipitation
that fell in August. The 2.82 inches of September rain kept the county out of
the drought that is affecting much of the state, but Lake Nacogdoches is still more
than three feet below normal.
October
8
The release of the Federal Drought Report indicates that the rains that have
fallen over Texas recently have helped relieve some of the counties hit hardest
by the extreme drought.
October 10 Although the
Associated Press is still reporting that about 6.8 percent of Texas is still
classified under the most extreme drought, Bell County has seen some relief
recently. Since the beginning of August, parts of the Bell County have seen
more than 12 inches of rain. Some areas have picked up nearly seven inches in
the first ten days of October alone.
October
11 Scientists are hopeful the tree ring records from Central Texas
will help chart patterns of rainfall and drought back to 16th century. The
severity of the 1950s drought will be compared to those before records were
kept, because most water resource planners use the 1950s drought as a benchmark
for the worst case scenario.
October
16 The latest United States Drought Monitor reflected the positive
effects recent rainfall has had in Hays County as the Exceptional Drought
classification was lifted this week. San Marcos has received over 10 inches of
rain since late August, streamflows are almost back to normal levels, and the
Edwards Aquifer has seen a significant increase in its water level. Recent
rainfall has also benefitted New Braunfels.
October
23 Allergy sufferers in the Austin area that normally suffer from
ragweed pollen have gotten a break this year after the severe summer drought
killed off many of the plants. However, those suffering from cedar allergies
may be in for a rough winter because of the recent rainfall and expectation of
a wet winter.
October
30 The cotton crop in the Low Rolling Plains was down this year,
but for the first time in many years, losses are exclusively from other factors
other than the boll weevil. The pest caused more the $200 million in damages
annually as recently as the 1990s, but this years loss in overall cotton yield
is being blamed on drought.
Fires
October 31 A volunteer fire
fighter in Howard County believes that the months of November and December
could be busy months for his department after the first hard freeze. All of the
vegetation springing up from rainfall in the past month will die and leave a
high fuel supply for any downed electrical lines and other fire sources.
Water
Supply
October
2
Columnist Ashley Sanchez says that pictures cannot do justice when describing
the emptiness of Lake Travis compared to its usual vastness when filled to
capacity. Lakes Travis and Buchanan, supplying much of Central Texas with its
water supply, is only 39% full.
October
3
The city of Mart, already dealing with a shrinking revenue base, has decided
not to spend the $1 million needed to fix Battle Lake Dam. Because it is not
considered crucial for flood prevention and is not a source of public drinking
water, the state did not offer to help foot the bill after the dam collapsed in
May.
October
8
Despite all the rain in the Austin-San Antonio area, the stored water that is
available to Central Texas customers has not improved. The lack of improvement
means that municipal, industrial, and agricultural users of the Lower Colorado
River Authority will be facing even tougher water restrictions.
October
10 The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has announced that
the water supplies to rice farmers may be severely curtailed next year. LCRA
provides irrigation to 350 farmers and can legally discontinue or severely
restrict water supplies if certain conditions are met. Rice farmers in
attendance at an agricultural luncheon were stunned
by the news of pending restrictions.
October
17 Cow Creek Groundwater District board members voted to reduce
the current drought restrictions from Stage 5 to Stage 4, allowing residents to
water their lawns for the first time since June 2008.
October
18 Thousands of Texas youngsters have taken part in a two-week
water conservation program with cartoon character Major Rivers and his horse,
Aquifer. It is estimated that 10 million gallons of water were conserved last
year because of the program.
October
20 Water from the
October 25 About 70 rice
farmers, along with elected officials and business people having a stake in the
rice industry got two days of attention from the LCRA board of directors
meeting in Matagorda Tuesday and Wednesday. The meeting was held because Lakes
Buchanan and Travis were below the triggering point for curtailing
interruptible irrigation to rice farmers.
October 25 A pipeline carrying
recycled wastewater to golf courses and others will be built starting in
February using a $22 million federal grant and should be up and running by the
end of next year. The use of recycled water is common practice in Florida and
California and would help ease the burden placed on water supplies during a
drought.
Agricultural Impacts
October
5
Although Texas has seen an improvement in the rain situation from the summer,
the effects of the drought are still being felt all over the state. Producers
affected are encouraged to sign up for the Livestock Forage Program focusing on
grazing crops or the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program focused on row
crops.
October
7
The Texas Crop Report indicates that the recent rains throughout Texas have
helped grasses grow and winter crops establish themselves in North Texas. In
the Rolling Plains, the wet weather has helped stimulate the growth of cool-season
grasses and winter wheat.
October
7
Even with the devastating drought across Texas this years corn crops across
much of West Central Texas were deemed outstanding. Though it takes a great
deal of investment, farmers credit new technologies for the crops ability to
withstand extreme dryness and heat.
October
7
Dairy farmers have not been immune to the tough economic times or the severe
drought that plagued much of Texas. Thousands of dairy cows will disappear as
many dairy producers will either go out of business or participate in the
national herd reduction program.
October 9 The late season rains
and cooler temperatures that did nothing for the summer cotton crops across the
High Plains have enhanced the corn crop. The region avoided the disastrous drought
plaguing the rest of the state, and those fortunate enough to avoid major
hailstorms produced an excellent corn crop yield.
October
10 West Texas wineries are still doing good business despite a far
less than ideal grape crop this year. Harvesting and processing of the grapes
was scaled back this year in comparison to years past because of hail damage
and late frosts.
October
12 The director of the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the
Environment presented information on the effects of climate change on Texas
Agriculture at the South Texas Farm and Ranch Show. Emphasized was the need to
plan ahead for both the direct and indirect consequences of a changing Texas
environment.
October
12 The last month in Victoria County has brought anywhere from
7-14 inches of much needed rainfall and greened up the pastures in Victoria
County. However, the wetter weather has brought a reemergence of unwanted
armyworms, which can consume massive amounts of forage in just a few days.
October 13 The local cotton crop
in the greater Lubbock area is forecasted to be smaller than originally
anticipated. The forecast, originating from the United States Agriculture
Department, is expected to be around 3.8 million bales rather than the 4
million plus bales originally anticipated.
October 15 The 31 counties across
the Central and North Rolling Plains, known as Big Country, never recovered
from early season drought, making for a rough cotton harvest over the next few
weeks. Irrigated cotton is expected to do well, but much of the 90% of the Big
Country cotton crop that relies solely on rainfall burned up in the searing
summer heat.
October
17 Texas is still expected to have a decent year for the pecan
crop, despite recent rains delaying their harvest. This years crop is
projected to top 60 million pounds, more than doubling the 2008 crop, though
the extreme summer drought left a large percentage of the crop undesirable.
October
25 Some peanut farmers in West Texas say that are expecting
harvest from average to good this season due to the rain in early August. However,
others are reporting that their crops will not be as good because they were
damaged by hail this year.
October 25 The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension program reported that the South
Plains soil moisture was short to adequate which lead to some field drying out.
In the Panhandle, wet and wintery weather has slowed harvest and the heavy
rains in East Texas led to delayed planting of winter pastures.
October
28 The cooler than normal weather during October has slowed the
destruction to pastures and small grain fields caused by armyworms, but there
are still areas where the pests remain a problem. An expert with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension explains that a hard freeze is
the only sure way to completely stop armyworms.
Inclement Weather
Cold
October
2
Several cities in the Panhandle of Texas saw temperatures dip to record lows,
and in some cases, below freezing. The cold spot was Dimmit, where the mercury
dipped to 28 degrees, which was in stark contrast to the high temperature of 95
degrees two days earlier in nearby Plainview.
October 19 Tenants of a Lubbock
apartment complex have been without hot water or heat for the past month after
a car crash disabled the gas line going to six of the buildings.
Flooding
October
6
The heavy rainfall over the past week has forced forecasters at the National
Weather Service to put out a flood warning for the Sabine River for the past
two days. The river was already 18.3 feet high and is expect to rise to nearly
27 feet by the end of Tuesday.
October
6
A city council meeting in Leon Valley (Bexar County) was attended by dozens
of homeowners who shared their views on a proposed flood control plan that
would force roughly 30 families out of their homes. The reaction was split
between acceptance and opposition by the families who would be forced out of
their homes.
October 14 Flooding rains have
left much of East Texas underwater, with several roads and low-lying areas under
water. Crews from the Texas Department of Transportation worked around the
clock to monitor roads, and several schools were closed or delayed.
October 17 New Braunfels has seen
numerous floods over the years that have caused millions of dollars in damage.
The city is vulnerable to flooding because of the regions rocky soil and its
location between the Dry Comal and Guadalupe River Basins, which conspire to
funnel heavy rainfall downstream through New Braunfels.
October
19 The newly established Texas State International Flash Flood
Laboratory met in Austin to discuss the need for more research focusing
specifically on flash floods. The laboratory is located in Central Texas,
considered to be the flash flood capital of Texas, with a goal of saving lives
by doing research and disseminating information on flash floods.
October 20 Texas Department of
Transportation workers are finally finished clearing a large logjam that was
caused by more than a foot of rain falling on September 12. The rain fell
upstream in the Salado Creek watershed and caused authorities to close the FM
1915 bridge in eastern
October
22 The city of Fort Worth received heavy rainfall, which caused
several sewer pipes to overflow after the rainwater entered the pipes.
October
22 Flash flooding claimed the life of a 47-year old woman near
Burnet after attempting to cross a low-water crossing in a Jeep. The remnants
of Tropical Storm Rick provided moisture for thunderstorms that dropped more
than 9 inches of precipitation.
October
22 A family was trapped in their Highland Lakes home because of
flooding rains with little chance to escape before neighbors came to their
rescue. Rescuers couldnt reach the family because of a low-water crossing
being flooded, leading a brave neighbor to trudge through thigh-high water to
help in escaping rising water.
October 22 An overabundance of
rainfall has closed parts of Lake Waco, with the water level expected to rise
up to eight feet the next several days according to the Army Corps of
Engineers.
October
26 In Central Texas, several families were trapped in their homes
after heavy rains pounded the area. Other Central Texas residents were without
power after the storm crossed the state, and according to Austin City
officials, several rail systems and roads were closed.
October 28 Recent rains have
caused the Sabine River to flood roads and fields for miles near the Gladewater
Bridge. In Gregg County, some roads were
impassable, with cars and trucks submerged under water and with water creeping
up to the airport runway.
October
29 Texas Task Force 1 was placed on alert in advance of extremely
heavy rainfall expected across eastern portions of the state. Six swift water
rescue teams, along with helicopter rescue technicians, equipped with special
equipment were on standby for deployment in cities needing flooding assistance.
October 30 Heavy rainfall caused
a number of sewer overflows in the city of Waco. Officials say the overflows
have been contained but advised against swimming in area lakes, streams, and
ponds until further notice.
Heat
October 5 A Tarrant County
woman who left her toddler inside an SUV all day while at work has been charged
with a homicide. The incident occurred on September 3, a day when the high
temperature reached 96 degrees.
Hurricanes
October
1
At least four new lawsuits have been filed in Jefferson County against
insurance companies over hurricane damage from hurricane Ike.
October
4
Galvestons population has dropped about 20 percent since Hurricane Ike, putting
the city well below the 50,000 mark to receive federal funding that supports
repairs to the island. During the 2000 census the Galveston population was more
than 57,000 people, while the post-Hurricane Ike population has dropped down to
nearly 45,000 people.
October
11 Though Hurricane Ike struck the Texas coastline more than a
year ago, some homeowners have yet to receive housing assistance funds. Though
hundreds of millions of dollars in grant money were set aside to assist
homeowners back in February, no money to date has been spent from the federal
funding.
October
15
With the help of student researchers, the Northern Gulf Institute and the
Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies launched two weather
balloons at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to monitor
Tropical Storm Patricia.
October 15 Data from Hurricane
Katrina and four other hurricanes is being used by researchers from Texas A&M and Johns Hopkins to accurately predict how many
outages will occur across a region as a hurricane is approaching. Variables
included, but not limited to, in the outage assessment model are locations of
previous outages, each areas power system, hurricane wind speeds, soil
moisture, land use, and topography.
October 16 The Texas Insurance
Commissioner has denied a request to raise windstorm policy rates by 10 percent
for residents along the coast. The requested increase was proposed in August,
but was rejected because of the hardship felt by those who suffered through
Hurricane Ike.
October
21 The
Severe
Weather
October 2 A powerful storm
damaged a barn and shed in Prairie Valley, while also downing many trees and tearing
the roof off a house. This same storm uprooted and damaged old-growth live oak
trees and turned over an RV and several tents in Clifton.
October 4 Organizers of the Bike MS: Valero Ride to the River had to cancel the second day of the bike race because of severe thunderstorms, which put the bikers at risk. Rain pounded riders for much of the first day of the event, with hundreds of participants opting to stay at home.
October 4 The rain record set
back in 1942 at the San Antonio International Airport was broken when more than
5 inches of rain fell. The rain accompanied a severe thunderstorm that caused
flash flooding, power outages and several water rescues in the area.
October
4
The massive amounts of rain that have fallen over San Antonio caused a roof
of a business Northeast side of town to collapse.
October
5
The National Weather Service announced that Guadalupe County
received over 8 inches of rain in a 24 hour period, which was too much weight
to bear for the roof of a local business. Reports estimate that nearly 6 to 12
inches of rain fell between San Antonio and New Braunfels, and east to Hallettsville.
October 9 A storm that barreled
through East Texas caused power outages, tore down trees, and even took roofs
off some buildings. Damage was reported
along a long stretch of Highway 80 from Mineola to Longview.
October 9 A severe storm that
hit Nacogdoches County caused power outages that left 5,000 customers without
power according to Deep East Texas Electric Coop.
October
10 A storm accompanying a cold front knocked out power in nearly
1,000 homes in Marshall County in addition to causing one minor injury. Several
homes and businesses were damaged by the strong winds likely caused by a
downburst, a phenomenon that is difficult to predict, can strike without
warning, and produce hurricane force winds.
October
12 Severe storms that ripped through East Texas the previous week
brought a major scare to an Ore City family after a tree crashed on their roof.
The tree fell early in the morning and left the family only one window to exit their
mobile home, which was heavily damaged. A disaster relief fund has been set up
to aid the family in restoring the place they had called home for only two
months.
October 20 Severe weather striking El Paso early in the
week caused power outages and toppled several trees in the Westway area. Gusts
up to 70 miles per hour were reported at El Paso International Airport.
October
26 Residents of Celina awoke to tree branches knocked down after
thunderstorms hit the area, and on Highway 380, hail made for dangerous driving
conditions.
October
27 Four people were killed in a small plane crash that was found
in a muddy area of a ranch in Duval County that was only accessible by off road
vehicles. According to authorities, the crash may have happened during the
thunderstorms that moved through the state.
Other Climate Impacts
Academics/Athletics
October 26 The first game of the
Texas A&M baseball Fall World Series was cancelled
due to heavy rain and will not be made up. Instead, the series will only
consist of four games instead of the five originally scheduled.
October 26 Flooding and heavy
rains forced UTSA golf officials to cancel the first two rounds of the
UTSA-hosted Alamo Invitation. Officials deemed the Briggs Ranch Golf Club
unplayable, and following the cancellations, the invitation will only consist
of one round.
October
29 A scheduler for area soccer games in Plano says a series of
storms has washed out more than 1,400 games since the middle of September.
Because of the variety of uses for city fields, schedulers must balance keeping
the fields in good condition with the demands placed on it by thousands of
participants in various sports and leagues.
October
30 A lack of dry days has delayed construction on several projects
started by the Longview Independent School District intended to be finished by
August 2010. The district was ahead of schedule when the school year started,
but rainy weather over the last five weeks has left crews behind schedule in
completing the construction of three new elementary schools, a middle school,
and additions to three other buildings.
Air/Water Quality
October
1
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposal that would
place a limit on greenhouse gas emissions, which would affect a number of
proposed coal-fired power plants in Texas. Under the proposal, these power
plants would be required to install expensive new controls to limit the amount
of carbon dioxide released from their smokestacks.
October 6 Allergy sufferers are
having a particularly troublesome fall in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, which has
prompted the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America to list the Metroplex as
the No. 13 Most Challenging Place to Live with Fall Allergies.
October
12 The owner of Inlet Protection Company located in Gonzales
manufactures a device that keeps debris out of storm water drains, since much
of the water flows back into rivers and streams. He is hoping that cities in
Texas will adopt his product to replace sandbags as a means of keeping debris
out of storm drains.
October
21 40 knot winds and 5 foot waves prevented vessels from starting
clean up 18,000 gallons of fuel that were spilled in the Gulf of Mexico. The
spill occurred after a crude oil tanker collided with a service vessel in rough
seas about 50 miles southeast of Galveston.
Animals/Aquatic Life
October
2
With all the rain in North Texas, mosquitoes are becoming a major problem.
Dallas city officials say that at least 40 positive cases of the West Nile
virus have been found already, with more expected to surface as long as a rainy
pattern continues.
October 6 After a dry summer
the mild wet weather means more mosquitoes are out in Mudville, and they have
been ambushing people, particularly at football games. According to Bell County
extension agents the mosquitoes are expected to stick around until cooler and
drier weather replaces the mild, humid conditions which have made insect
repellent a valuable commodity.
October 13 Recent rainfall has
led to a marked increase in the number of fire ant mounds popping up from the
ground in North Texas, as the ants will raise their mounds to keep above a
rising water table. One owner of a pest control service says the fire ants are
the worst he seen in over a decade.
October
13 Scientists are becoming more optimistic about the outlook for
the endangered Houston toads after recent heavy rains have helped to replenish
the ponds and marshlands that make up their habitat. Only 300 of the toads
remain wild from a population that was once estimated at 50,000 in South
Central Texas.
October 14 Giant salvinia was
discovered in the Angelina River leaving Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
officials concerned about runoff from recent rainfall. The concern is that the
infestation, arguably the most problematic aquatic vegetation according to
experts, is drifting closer to the main portion of Sam Rayburn Reservoir.
October
18 Scientists have been tracking butterfly migration from the
United States to Mexico by assigning tags to monarchs who are identified by
butterfly watchers. The director of Wildseed Farms, a butterfly house located
in Fredericksburg, noticed that the butterflies curved around the area of
Central Texas with exceptional drought conditions.
October
24 Non-migratory birds change their eating habits in the Texas winter,
switching from a diet consisting mostly of insects in the spring and summer to
one consisting mainly of seeds and fruits. Experts suggest placing a variety of
bird feed in your yard if looking to enhance the diversity of bird species
visiting your yard.
October
29 A Texas A&M entomologist says the
number of fire ant mounds popping recently has been alarming, and the large
number can be attributed to very wet weather recently.
Economics
October
14 Residents in Victoria are concerned that electricity bills may
remain higher than normal this winter since the seasonal outlook calls for
below normals temperatures. After a summer of record setting heat in which air
conditioning was costlier than normal, the winter forecast would cause heating
bills to also be higher than usual.
October
16 The snowbirds that call Texas home during the winter have
return earlier than normal this year due to unseasonable cold in the Midwest.
More than 60,000 Winter Texans temporarily move to Texas each year,
contributing more than $600 million to local economies, though it is feared
that many will remain in the cold this year due to the recession.
October 21 Forecasters in
Amarillo are predicting a wetter, cooler winter with a higher than average
potential for storms bringing heavy snow. Despite this forecast, Excel Energy
officials are predicating this winter could be more cost effective for
customers, with the savings resulting from gas prices being substantially lower
than last year.
October
27 Roofers in the Dallas/Fort Worth area are swamped with work because
of all the heavy rainfall in October. According to roofers, the roof systems
cannot drain the water fast enough, so water builds up against chimneys causing
leaks and water damage.
October 29 Heating companies in
the El Paso area are staying busy thanks to recent weather that has brought
cold, snow, and wind, and the expectation is to stay busy through the rest of
the winter season.
Homes/Gardening/Trees
October 8 The Lufkin Texas
Forest Service are now dealing with a pine beetle infestation on private and
federal properties due to the extreme dry weather across Texas this summer.
These pests will not infect healthy trees, so it is recommended to keep trees
watered and make sure they receive plenty of nutrients.
October
8
The maple trees in Lost Maples State Natural area have been through their
roughest year since records have been kept due to the extreme heat and lack of
rainfall this summer. This has put the trees, particularly the smaller ones,
under a large amount of stress, which has caused many to change about six weeks
ahead of schedule.
October 11 Five Texas cities
rank in the Top 20 American cities for risk of an increase in rodent presence
in homes according to two world-renowned rodent experts. Houston ranks number3
behind New York, NY and Atlanta, GA based on factors that include
infrastructure, congestion, the economy, and local climate.
October
20
Galveston County that survived Hurricane Ike, which killed thousands of trees
last year, are now being attacked by pine bark beetles. Officials say that the
beetles have always been present in the county, but this year has been
exceptionally bad. Experts hope if the winter is wetter and cooler than normal
as expected, the beetles should die down.
October
23 Homeowners in the Coastal Bend are taking advantage of some
much needed rainfall to replace plants that were killed during the exceptional
drought that has lasted most of 2009. Local nurseries advise using native
plants that are more likely to last through the local climatic fluctuations.
October
28 The drought and heat of the summer destroyed many lawns across
the Austin area, which has piqued the interest for low-maintenance grass.
Researchers at the University of Texas are exploring grasses that are resistant
to drought conditions and require less water.
Hunting/Fishing
October
1
510 trees that were damaged by Hurricane Ike are being removed from historic
Galveston. According to city officials, the trees were under more than 6 feet
of saltwater during the hurricane with replanting expected to start next
fall.
October
3
Despite the wetter and cooler than normal weather in September, this has been
one of the best dove hunting months in decades for dove hunters in West Texas.
October
7
The wetter weather in September and October has been very beneficial for fish
and wildlife, but it is having negative effects for deer hunters. The rain has
made natural vegetation grow very quickly, and when abundant, the vegetation
can make it very difficult to hunt wildlife.
October
24 Thanks to two years of drought in South Texas, the prospects for
the upcoming quail hunting season look extremely bleak. The most fertile quail
hunting ground in the state will likely see only about half of the normal
activity hunters would normally see, though late summer and early fall rains
are providing some with a glimmer of hope.
October
24 With the start of deer hunting season around the corner, a
district leader of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says much of the
deer population has fled Central and South Texas. However, recent rainfall
bodes well should lead to more healthy deer and survival of the fawn crop down
the road.
October
24 McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge was once a region that was
teeming with ducks on a vast expanse of marsh, but Hurricane Ike and other
natural disasters have taken their toll in the past several years. However, the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service counts indicate most duck species are faring
very well, perhaps leaving the best crop in several years.
October
28 The Lower Colorado River Authority continues to advise
residents that the drought in Central Texas is not over despite two weeks of
heavy rainfall that have caused flooding in some areas. However, the recent
rains have raised the spirits of anglers in the area since the refilling of
lakes where vegetation grew during drought attracts more and more game fish.
October 31 Experts believe that
growth in the acorn crop and general vegetation due to recent rainfall will
make deer hunting season a challenge this year. The abundance of forage will
make deer less likely to be lured to feeders, though conditions for hunting are
better in the Panhandle than the rest of the state.
October 31 Recent moisture that
has returned to Texas after prolonged drought could be detrimental to hunters planning
on targeting their favorite spot during the early season. Ducks will be more
scattered after recent rain has left more water sources.
Recreation/Leisure
October
3
Mother Nature played a prominent role in Day 2 of the Austin City Limits
(ACL) music festival taking place in the state capital. Rain wasnt enough to
keep spectators away from the live music, but did provide an annoyance to a
large portion of the audience. However, some hearty souls embraced the wet
weather.
October
8
With the 24-day Texas State Fair, located in Dallas, at its halfway point,
the National Weather Service says it has rained every day except one since the
beginning of October. The rain has caused the midway to periodically shut down
but has been a boost to many of the indoor events.
October 11 The Commemorative Air
Force (CAF) air show in Midland was forced to improvise its schedule after CAF
officials determined the clouds were too low. Rather than flying, the 60-70
planes involved in the event paraded past spectators.
October 18 The director of the
Heart of Texas Fair and Rodeo said attendance was down about 20 percent this
year according to preliminary figures. He assigns blame for the drop in
attendance to the fair held annually in Waco entirely to weather conditions.
October
19 The Texas State Fair held in Dallas had to deal with 14 days of
rain over its 24 day run, but that did not stop patrons from enjoying the
festivities and making the last weekend the biggest weekend in the history of
the fair.
October 19 The sunny skies and
cooler temperatures made a great weekend for Woodlands residents who attended
the Grogans Mill Fall Arts and Craft Show and the Grogans Farmers
Market.
October
23 Heavy rains on Lake Caddo have forced officials at Johnsons
Ranch Marina to stage operations at higher ground for about a week. Johnsons
Ranch is believed to be the oldest inland marina in Texas and was under a foot
of water after recent rainfall raised the level of the lake more than 3 feet
above flood stage.
October
31 October finished with ideal weather for trick-or-treating in
East Texas despite a month that saw over ten inches of precipitation, including
3-7 inches in a recent storm.
Traffic
October 5 An East Texas woman
ended up trapped in her car northeast of Gilmer after heavy rains submerged the
car in water. Department of Public Safety and fire rescue officials rescued the
woman just a few minutes before the oxygen supply she was breathing would have
disappeared.
October 9 A couple in tried to
across a flooded intersection in Grayson County and had to be rescued by police
and firefighters.
October
13 Extremely heavy rainfall closed roads, caused minor flooding,
and was to blame for several traffic accidents in the Longview area. Several
railroad passes were shut down, and Longview police reported Lois Jackson Park
was submerged by rainwater within feet of Bill Owens Parkway.
October
14 A truck driver blamed poor visibility caused by fog for an
accident on Highway 75 in Collin County that kept traffic at a snails pace for
more than seven hours. Luckily, the driver was not injured and no other
vehicles were directly involved when the trucked jackknifed when attempting to
avoid construction barriers that were barely visible.
October
15 Heavy rainfall contributed to a traffic accident involving two
Cass County narcotics officers, each of whom was seriously injured but expected
to make a recovery.
October
16 The Texas Department of Transportation has started construction
on a low-lying section of FM 506 in Cameron County that was flooded for several
weeks in the aftermath of Hurricane Dolly.
October 21 Police responded to
18 traffic accidents early Wednesday because of heavy rainfall on the highways
in the
October
27 According to Austin
police, heavy rains caused two 18-wheeler accidents. The first 18-wheeler jackknifed
and blocked off two northbound lanes of I-35 near Stassney Lane and the other
18-wheeler dumped a full load of materials, forcing traffic to be rerouted.
October
27 According to the
Texas Department of Transportation, heavy rainfall in North Texas has delayed
several road projects, one project being the restriping of I-635.
October
23 High water forced officials from the Texas Department of
Transportation to close a stretch of FM 2087 in southern Gregg County. The
Sabine River reached 33.7 feet, more than 8 feet above flood stage, at a
location less than 0.25 miles from the highway.
October
30 Severe weather accompanied by heavy rainfall caused slick roads
across the Nacogdoches area, causing several accidents and forcing road
closures. An 18-wheeler hydroplaned and overturned on U.S. Hwy. 259 and an accident
on Highway 7 near Martinsville resulted in two deaths.