The long-term drought conditions that began in late 2005 over much of the Southern Plains of the U.S. were alleviated by late August over the west Texas South Plains region. Extreme (D3) drought conditions were observed during the first few weeks of August over the extreme southeastern Texas Panhandle and the northern Rolling Plains. Severe (D2) drought conditions encompassed areas along and east of the Interstate 27 corridor north of Lubbock, then westward toward the southwestern South Plains during early August. Rainfall over the extreme southwestern panhandle and the northwestern South Plains in late July helped to reduce the impact of drought there by early August.A series of widespread rainfall events commenced during the second half of the month, with localized instances of flash flooding observed. These events quickly brought year-to-date rainfall totals up to approximately 85% of climatological averages. By the end of August, severe (D2) drought conditions were restricted to the eastern and southern Rolling Plains.  Local farmers and agricultural officials, however, continued to report losses through mid August. Estimates indicated that an additional 200,000 acres of cotton were lost, or deemed to have low yield potential, as a result of the drought. This after 98% of the dryland cotton crops area-wide failed to emerge in previous months. In addition, many area ranchers continued to sell cattle pre-maturely due to drought-related hardships. The lack of rain during the growing season resulted in poor hay crops. This caused the price of hay to exceed $130 per ton; up from only $80 per ton one year ago. Ranchers have had difficulty affording hay to feed the cattle, thus many head of cattle have been sold at very early ages resulting in lower selling prices.The impact of the ongoing long-term drought on the local economy in 2006 through the month of August was an estimated $221 million.

Drought in STONEWALL, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in LYNN, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in YOAKUM, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in KENT, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in KING, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in DICKENS, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in HALL, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in CROSBY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in COTTLE, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in HALE, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in BRISCOE, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 26M
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in TERRY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in CHILDRESS, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in MOTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in FLOYD, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY

Drought in GARZA, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-06 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-06 23:59:00 (CST)
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OTHER FEDERAL AGENCY