Torrential rains from strong to severe thunderstorms finally put a dent in drought conditions across the Rio Grande Valley and Deep South Texas. An estimated 4 to 6 inches of rain fell on the night of March 29th in Hidalgo County, with McAllen International Airport receiving 4.37 inches of rainfall, and setting a daily rainfall record.  Initial storms developed across the King Ranch of Kenedy County during the mid-afternoon hours of March 29th and spread west into northern Hidalgo and Starr counties by early evening.

Drought in KENEDY, TEXAS
From 27-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Although showers and thunderstorms developed over the county on March 29th, drought conditions did not improve.  The NE corner of the county would remain in  Exceptional (D4) drought conditions, while the remainder of the county would continue in Extreme (D3) drought.

Drought in HIDALGO, TEXAS
From 27-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Torrential rains on March 29th allowed for great improvement in drought conditions across Hidalgo County. The western two-thirds of the county improved from Extreme (D3) drought conditions to Severe (D2) conditions, while the eastern third remained in Extreme (D3) conditions.

Drought in STARR, TEXAS
From 27-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Though Starr County did not see the greatest amount of rainfall, the county did receive enough rainfall to allow for improvement in drought conditions across the western half of the county to (D0) conditions and the eastern half of the county to (D1) conditions.

Drought in ZAPATA, TEXAS
From 27-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Rainfall during the last few days of the month resulted in improvement in the western and southern portions of county from Extreme (D3) drought conditions to Severe (D2) drought conditions. The remainder of the county continued on in Extreme (D3) conditions.

Drought in CAMERON, TEXAS
From 27-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Despite rainfall in the region, Cameron County did not benefit greatly from it. The entire county continued on in Extreme (D3) conditions.

Drought in JIM HOGG, TEXAS
From 27-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Rainfall at the end of the month allowed for approximately 80% of the county to improve from Extreme (D3) drought to Severe (D2) drought conditions, except for tiny slivers along the northern edge of the county and the NW corner which remained in Extreme (D3) conditions and a sliver along the southern edge of the county that has improved to (D1) drought conditions.

Drought in COASTAL WILLACY, TEXAS
From 27-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Although showers and thunderstorms were in the region on March 29th, drought conditions did not improve. The entire county remained engulfed in Extreme (D3) drought conditions.

Drought in COASTAL CAMERON, TEXAS
From 27-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

No improvement in drought conditions were seen in coastal Cameron County. The entire area would remain in Extreme (D3) drought conditions.

Drought in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 27-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Although the greatest rainfall occurred south of the county, some improvement in drought conditions occurred in the SW corner of the county, where drought conditions went from Extreme (D3) to Severe (D2) conditions.  The remainder of the county continued in Extreme (D3) conditions.

Drought in WILLACY, TEXAS
From 27-MAR-12 00:00:00 to 31-MAR-12 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Other Federal Agency

Although showers and thunderstorms were in the region on March 29th, drought conditions did not improve. The entire county remained engulfed in Extreme (D3) drought conditions.