A lack of rainfall across Deep South Texas resulted in the drought conditions spreading and intensifying across the region soon after the beginning of April. Extreme (D3) Drought conditions developed across the entire Rio Grande Valley except for the immediate coast, with severe conditions in a stripe from Brooks County to eastern Cameron and Willacy Counties.
These conditions would prevail through month's end, as persistent, record heat, zero rainfall, and strong southerly winds worsened conditions with virtually no wetting moisture, including very little morning dew.  Dryland crop damage began to appear at month's end; dollar damage estimated will be available with the May Storm Data report.

Drought in ZAPATA, TEXAS
From 05-APR-11 00:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The drought conditions intensified across Zapata County in early April. Severe D2 drought conditions had occurred across Zapata County in March.  However extreme D3 drought conditions developed across all of Zapata County by April 5th due to the continued lack of significant rainfall.
Dryland crop damage began developing by month's end, and livestock feed was affected.  Details on degree of crop damage will be available in the May Storm Data report.

Drought in JIM HOGG, TEXAS
From 05-APR-11 00:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The drought conditions intensified across Jim Hogg County in early April. The severe D2 drought conditions which had occurred across Jim Hogg County in March intensified to extreme D3 drought conditions in early April due to the continued lack of significant rainfall combined with record heat.
Dryland crop damage began developing by month's end, and livestock feed was also affected.  Details on degree of crop damage will be available in the May Storm Data report.

Drought in STARR, TEXAS
From 05-APR-11 00:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The drought conditions intensified across Starr County in early April. The severe D2 drought conditions which had occurred across Starr County in March intensified to extreme D3 drought conditions in early April due to the continued lack of significant rainfall and record heat.  Some areas in southern portions of the county received less than an inch of rain since October 1st, 2010.
Dryland crop damage began developing by month's end, and livestock feed was affected.  Details on degree of crop damage will be available in the May Storm Data report.

Drought in KENEDY, TEXAS
From 05-APR-11 00:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Severe Drought (D2) conditions developed across the southwestern one tenth of Kenedy County to begin April, and would spread into the entire southern half of the county by April 19th, continuing through the end of the month. A lack of significant rainfall across Kenedy County at the end of March resulted in the worsening of the drought conditions across the county; record to near record heat, persistent wind, and no rain in April exacerbated conditions heading into May.

Drought in HIDALGO, TEXAS
From 05-APR-11 00:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The drought conditions intensified across Hidalgo County in early April. The severe D2 drought conditions which had occurred across Hidalgo County in March intensified to extreme D3 drought conditions in early April due to the continued lack of significant rainfall.  Some areas in southwest Hidalgo County had received less than an inch of rain since October 1st, 2010.  Intense, record heat (for April) and gusty winds exacerbated the drought as well.
Dryland crop damage began developing by month's end, and livestock feed was also affected.  Details on degree of crop damage will be available in the May Storm Data report.

Drought in CAMERON, TEXAS
From 05-APR-11 00:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Extreme D3 drought conditions developed across the western half of Cameron County and Severe D2 drought conditions developed across the eastern half of Cameron County in early April. A lack of significant rainfall across Deep South Texas the end of March resulted in the worsening of the drought conditions across the county; record to near record heat and drying winds contributed as well.

Drought in WILLACY, TEXAS
From 05-APR-11 00:00:00 to 30-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Extreme D3 drought conditions developed across the western half of Willacy County and Severe D2 drought conditions developed across the eastern half of Willacy County in early April. A lack of significant rainfall across Deep South Texas the end of March resulted in the worsening of the drought conditions across the county; record to near record heat and persistent drying winds contributed as well.

Drought in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 05-APR-11 00:00:00 to 18-APR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The drought conditions intensified across Brooks County in early April. Extreme D3 drought conditions developed across the western half of Brooks County in early April due to the continued lack of significant rainfall, combined with record heat and wind.