Severe (D3) drought conditions seen in Childress, Hall, Briscoe, Floyd, and Motley counties at the beginning of the month had returned to Exceptional (D4) drought conditions by the end of August. The exceptional drought was expected to continue well into the fall season with little to no relief.
Most areas saw little to no rain through the month. However, portions of the central and southern South Plains saw beneficial rainfall on August 11 with one to four inches recorded associated with slow moving thunderstorms. Much of the region had precipitation values between 10 and 25 percent of normal for the year. The southwest South Plains had annual precipitation totals of less than ten percent of normal. Some annual rainfall totals include 2.37 at Morton (Cochran County), 2.24 at Silverton (Briscoe County), 1.78 at Friona (Parmer County), 1.49 at Lubbock (Lubbock County), and 0.94 inches at Brownfield (Terry County). Keetch-Byram Drought Index values continued to range from 700 to 800 across the entire area.
The summer heat wave continued through the entire month of August. Record breaking temperatures persisted across the region. The average temperature of 86.0 degrees at Lubbock tied the all time record for the warmest month from just a month earlier in July. Lubbock also saw a record 48 days of temperatures above 100 degrees surpassing the previous record of 29. For Childress, the average temperature of 90.9 degrees broke the record for the warmest month. Childress saw 50 consecutive days of 100 degrees or higher through August 11th. These temperatures were representative of the entire region throughout the month of August.
Agricultural and livestock losses had an unceasing adverse impact on the local economy. Irrigated fields had become stressed and cotton crops had moved into cut-out stage. Farmers expected to harvest in September with a low crop yield. Livestock sell off continued through August due to the lack of forage and low supply of water and feed. Additionally, preparations for the winter wheat crop, which typically occurs between the months of August and September, have been delayed.
Economic losses due to drought through August since the drought began were estimated near $2.1 billion.

Drought in KENT, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in KING, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in LAMB, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 95.00M
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in LYNN, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in MOTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in PARMER, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in STONEWALL, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in TERRY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in YOAKUM, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in BRISCOE, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CASTRO, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CHILDRESS, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in COTTLE, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in CROSBY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in DICKENS, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in FLOYD, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in GARZA, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in HALE, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in HALL, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Drought in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 01-AUG-11 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency