Below average precipitation and above average temperatures, combined with persistent winds and the seasonal increase of solar radiation, resulted in an intensification of the drought conditions across many portions of Deep South Texas. Very dry to Excessively Dry soil moisture resulted from the warm, dry, and breezy weather.
By the end of April, The United States Drought Monitor, Texas sector, showed drought conditions ranging from severe along the Rio Grande in Zapata and Starr Counties, to extreme and exceptional toward the coast, including most of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The drought conditions began to stress agricultural interests, including crops, pastures and grasslands.

Drought in JIM HOGG, TEXAS
From 14-APR-09 00:00:00 to 30-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

In Jim Hogg County, drought conditions deteriorated through mid April, continuing through the end of the month, the result of little appreciable rainfall.  Weakening thunderstorms moving out of Zapata County on April 17th and 18th helped reduce the acceleration of drought conditions.
The United States Drought Monitor, Texas sector, showed drought conditions had intensified to extreme (D3) drought conditions across the northeastern half of Jim Hogg County and that severe (D2) drought conditions was now occurring across all of southwestern half of Jim Hogg County on April 14th.  A sliver of exceptional drought (D4) nudged across the border of Jim Hogg and Brooks County on the 21st of the month.

Drought in CAMERON, TEXAS
From 14-APR-09 00:00:00 to 30-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

With virtually no rain falling across nearly all of Cameron County through the remainder of April, drought conditions deteriorated further after mid month.
The United States Drought Monitor, Texas sector, reported conditions had intensified across all but the southern tip of Cameron County to extreme (D3) drought level by April 14th; extreme conditions would continue through the end of the month across all but locations along the Rio Grande, including the City of Brownsville, which remained at severe (D2) drought level.

Drought in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 14-APR-09 00:00:00 to 30-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

While some other locations in Deep South Texas experienced brief drought relief in the form of thunderstorms on the 17th and 18th, Brooks County largely missed the action, and the combination of continued above average temperatures, gusty winds, no rain, and low humidity pushed extreme (D3) to exceptional (D4) drought conditions across the county, with the exceptional conditions covering the north half.  These conditions would continue through the end of the month.

Drought in COASTAL WILLACY, TEXAS
From 14-APR-09 00:00:00 to 30-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

With no rain falling across coastal sections of Willacy County through the remainder of April, drought conditions continued to deteriorate after mid month.
The United States Drought Monitor, Texas sector, reported conditions had intensified across all of coastal Willacy County to extreme (D3) drought level by April 14th; these conditions would continue through the end of the month.

Drought in WILLACY, TEXAS
From 14-APR-09 00:00:00 to 30-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

With virtually no rain falling across Willacy County through the remainder of April, drought conditions deteriorated further after mid month.
The United States Drought Monitor, Texas sector, reported conditions had intensified across all of Willacy County to extreme (D3) drought level by April 14th; these conditions would continue through the end of the month.

Drought in HIDALGO, TEXAS
From 14-APR-09 00:00:00 to 30-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought persisted, and eventually intensified, across Hidalgo County during the second half of April. Rapid deterioration of drought conditions may have been held up by local rains on April 18th, but the overall pattern of heat, wind, and low to moderate humidity returned soon after.
The United States Drought Monitor, Texas sector, reported drought conditions had intensified to extreme (D3) across the northeast and eastern portions of Hidalgo County with the remainder western three quarters of Hidalgo County continuing under severe (D2) drought conditions.

Drought in COASTAL CAMERON, TEXAS
From 14-APR-09 00:00:00 to 30-APR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

With virtually no rain falling across coastal sections of Cameron County through the remainder of April, drought conditions continued to deteriorate after mid month.
The United States Drought Monitor, Texas sector, reported conditions had intensified across all of coastal Cameron County to extreme (D3) drought level by April 14th; these conditions would continue through the end of the month.