Abnormally dry conditions that began over west Texas during the fall of 2010 persisted through May further adding to agricultural losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars. At the beginning of May, Severe (D2) drought in Briscoe and Swisher counties further intensified to Extreme (D3). The remainder of the South Plains, Rolling Plains, and southern Texas Panhandle saw additional amplification of Extreme (D3) and Exceptional (D4) drought.
Moisture typically increases through May but May, 2011 saw continued insignificant rainfall for the region. Most locations received only 10 to 25 percent of normal annual rainfall. Some locations over the southwestern South Plains received less than five percent of normal. Rainfall since November 2010 ranged from under one tenth of an inch at Plains (Yoakum County) to nearly two inches at Friona (Parmer County), Plainview (Hale County), Tulia (Swisher County) and Guthrie (King County). Most other locations around the region experienced close to an inch of rainfall during this period. These totals were about two to six inches below normal over the South Plains and six to eight inches below normal over the Rolling Plains. In addition, temperatures throughout the month of May ranged from five to eight degrees above normal. Keetch-Byram Drought Index values ranged between 600 and 700 across the region by the end of May.
The drought's impact on wildfire activity was evident during May with several large wildfires but this activity actually decreased from previous months. This wildfire activity has extended beyond the region's climatological wildfire season which typically subsides with seasonal green-up in late April and early May. Over 100,000 acres of land were burned by wildfires within the Lubbock CWA during the month of May. Agricultural losses were also becoming substantial during the month. By the end of the month, dry land fields had failed due to very dry soil conditions. Cotton crop planting continued to be delayed and was beginning to create major negative impacts across the region. Additionally, area ranchers faced livestock losses due to the worsening drought. These losses were attributed to difficulty in trucking in water and feed which resulted in the sell off of some livestock.
Economic losses due to drought through May were estimated near $250 million.

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

Drought in KENT, TEXAS
From 01-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-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-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-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-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-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-MAY-11 00:00:00 to 31-MAY-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 50.00M
Crop damage: 195.00M
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

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