A continued lack of rainfall across Deep South Texas during the second week of May resulted in Exceptional (D4) drought conditions developing across the western and central portions of the Rio Grande Valley. These conditions would continue through month's end. Extreme (D3) Drought conditions spread across the Brush Country and King Ranch portions of eastern and central areas of Deep South Texas with severe drought conditions in northern portions of Kenedy County. Dryland crop damage continued to increase, and livestock, particularly cattle herds, were impacted by dwindling feed supplies of hay and corn.

Drought in JIM HOGG, TEXAS
From 10-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 16-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The continued lack of rainfall across Deep South Texas resulted in an intensification of the drought conditions across the western Brush Country region of Jim Hogg County. Exceptional D4 drought conditions had developed across all of the county by the 10th of May and would continue for a few days before welcome rains associated with a cool front on May 12th, then the northward return of the front on the 15th, brought some relief to the eastern third of the county.

Drought in STARR, TEXAS
From 10-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The continued lack of rainfall across Deep South Texas resulted in an intensification of the drought conditions across the mid and upper Rio Grande Valley. Exceptional D4 drought conditions had developed across nearly all of Starr County by the 10th of May and would continue into June.  Dryland crop damage, particularly to sorghum, began by late month with several fields being plowed under as May turned to June.
Final damage estimates for the 2011 Drought (through June) will be provided in the June Storm Data report under Crop Damage.

Drought in HIDALGO, TEXAS
From 10-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The continued lack of rainfall across the Rio Grande Valley resulted in an intensification of the drought conditions across Hidalgo County. Exceptional D4 drought conditions had developed across all of Hidalgo County except for the northeastern one tenth to one third of the county from May 10th through the end of the month; locally heavy rains on May 15th and May 20th briefly improved conditions to Severe (D3) north of Edinburg before month's end.
The long duration of Exceptional drought across the more fertile lands of southern Hidalgo County took a toll on dryland crops; much of the un-irrigated sorghum had to be plowed under by month's end. A final damage total for Hidalgo County will be provided in the June Storm Data report under Crop Damage.

Drought in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 10-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 16-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The continued lack of rainfall across the Brush County and King Ranch of Deep South Texas resulted in an intensification of the drought conditions into mid May. Exceptional (D4) drought conditions had developed across the southwestern one tenth of Brooks County by the 10th of May while the rest of the county was in Extreme (D3) drought conditions.  The northeastern one tenth of the county remained in Severe (D2) drought conditions by the 10th of May.

Drought in CAMERON, TEXAS
From 10-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 16-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The continued lack of rainfall across the Lower Rio Grande Valley resulted in an intensification of the drought conditions in Cameron County. Drought conditions intensified across Cameron County to Extreme (D3) levels by the 10th of May.  These conditions would further intensify later in the month.

Drought in WILLACY, TEXAS
From 10-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The continued lack of rainfall across the Lower Rio Grande Valley resulted in an intensification of the drought conditions. Drought conditions intensified across Willacy County to Extreme (D3), and these conditions prevailed across the county through the end of the month.  Dryland crops began to fail in some areas, and livestock began feeling the effects of lowered yields by month's end.  The drought would worsen into late June; dollar damages will be provided in the June report under Crop Damage.

Drought in KENEDY, TEXAS
From 10-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Across the King Ranch of Kenedy County, drought intensified to extreme (D3) across the south portion, and severe (D2) across the north portion, starting on May 10th and continuing largely through month's end.  Thunderstorms on May 12th and May 20th kept conditions from worsening; in fact, the rains temporarily reduced extreme conditions to severe across the southern half of the county with the exception of the immediate coast.
Livestock across Deep South Texas began feeling the effects of the heat and drought by month's end; while damage was not reported from the King Ranch, some livestock were readied for early sale due to dwindling supplies of feed corn and hay.  Any damage information received from Kenedy County will be reported in June Storm Data under Crop Damage.

Drought in COASTAL WILLACY, TEXAS
From 10-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The continued lack of rainfall across the Lower Rio Grande Valley resulted in an intensification of the drought conditions, including the coast. Drought conditions intensified across coastal Willacy County to Extreme (D3) levels by May 10th; these conditions would continue through the end of the month.

Drought in COASTAL CAMERON, TEXAS
From 10-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 16-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The continued lack of rainfall across the Lower Rio Grande Valley resulted in an intensification of the drought conditions, extending to the coast. Drought conditions intensified across Coastal Cameron County to Extreme (D3) by May 10th and would continue at this level through the 16th.

Drought in ZAPATA, TEXAS
From 10-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

The continued lack of rainfall across the Rio Grande Plains resulted in an intensification of the drought conditions across Zapata County. Exceptional D4 drought conditions had developed across all of Zapata County by the 10th of May and continued through month's end, as locally welcome rainfall on May 12th, 15th, and 20th largely bypassed the county with the exception of San Ygnacio toward Escobas and points north.  Rains in these areas were not enough to reduce the long term dry conditions, particularly the combination of heat, low humidity, and frequent winds.
Livestock began feeling the effects by month's end, as withering feed supplies (hay, etc.) began taking a toll on ranchers' ability to maintain well fed herds.