Below normal precipitation, above normal temperatures, and nearly continuous drying winds were common across Deep South Texas during the month of March. In general, dry conditions persisted across the region since mid November 2008. Soil moisture became abnormally to excessively dry, allowing severe to extreme drought to develop by the end of March.
According to The United States Drought Monitor, severe drought conditions (D2) had extended into much of Deep South Texas, with extreme drought conditions (D3) over the extreme northern sections of Brooks and Kenedy counties, by the end of March. The drought conditions would intensify during April, increasing stress on agriculture, including crops, pastures and grasslands.

Drought in COASTAL WILLACY, TEXAS
From 31-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought conditions (D2) extended into much of Deep South Texas, reaching into the Lower Rio Grande Valley by month's end.  Severe drought conditions (D2) even reached coastal Willacy County, affecting agriculture, including crops and pastures.

Drought in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 31-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought conditions (D2) extended into much of Deep South Texas, including southern Brooks County. Extreme drought conditions (D3) developed over northern Brooks County. The drought conditions continued to affect agriculture, including crops, pastures and grasslands on the west section of the King Ranch in Brooks County.

Drought in JIM HOGG, TEXAS
From 31-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought conditions (D2) extended into much of Deep South Texas, reaching most of Jim Hogg County by month's end.  Extreme drought conditions (D3) developed over north eastern tip of Jim Hogg County. The drought conditions continued to mainly affect agriculture, including crops, pastures and grasslands across Jim Hogg County.
Dry conditions persisted across Deep South Texas during the past 6 months. Precipitation continued below normal and temperatures above normal during the month of March. Soil moisture became abnormally to excessively dry and the drought conditions over the region continued to worsen. Severe drought conditions (D2) have now extended into much of Deep South Texas, with extreme drought conditions (D3) over the extreme northern sections of Brooks and Kenedy counties. The drought conditions continue to mainly affect agricultural interests, including crops, pastures and grasslands. D3 drought conditions occurred across the north eastern tip of Jim Hogg County.

Drought in STARR, TEXAS
From 31-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought conditions (D2) extended into much of Deep South Texas, reaching into the middle and upper Rio Grande Valley by month's end.  Severe drought conditions (D2) spread across all of Starr County, affecting agriculture, including crops, pastures, grasslands, and rangeland.

Drought in ZAPATA, TEXAS
From 31-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought conditions (D2) extended into much of Deep South Texas, reaching into the middle and upper Rio Grande Valley and Rio Grande Plains of Zapata County by month's end.  Severe drought conditions (D2) spread across all of Zapata County, affecting agriculture, including  pastures and rangeland.

Drought in COASTAL CAMERON, TEXAS
From 31-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought conditions (D2) extended into much of Deep South Texas, reaching into the Lower Rio Grande Valley by month's end.  Severe drought conditions (D2) even reached coastal Cameron County, affecting agriculture, including crops and pastures.

Drought in CAMERON, TEXAS
From 31-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought conditions (D2) extended into much of Deep South Texas, reaching into the Lower Rio Grande Valley by month's end.  Severe drought conditions (D2) spread into Cameron County, affecting agriculture, including crops, pastures and grasslands.

Drought in WILLACY, TEXAS
From 31-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought conditions (D2) extended into much of Deep South Texas, reaching into the Lower Rio Grande Valley by month's end.  Severe drought conditions (D2) spread into Willacy County, affecting agriculture, including crops, pastures and grasslands.

Drought in HIDALGO, TEXAS
From 31-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought conditions (D2) extended into much of Deep South Texas, reaching into the Lower Rio Grande Valley by month's end.  Severe drought conditions (D2) spread into all of Hidalgo County, affecting agriculture, including crops, pastures, grasslands, and rangeland.

Drought in KENEDY, TEXAS
From 31-MAR-09 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-09 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe drought conditions (D2) extended into much of Deep South Texas, including southern Kenedy County. Extreme drought conditions (D3) developed over northern Kenedy County. The drought conditions continue to mainly affect agricultural interests, including crops, pastures and grasslands on the King Ranch.