Some much welcome and beneficial rain fell across the northern ranchlands and the western brush country the first few days of August, with some areas receiving over 3 inches. This rainfall while helpful, only maintained drought conditions in the areas where it fell.    By the end of the first week of August, Severe (D2) drought conditions began to spread north and east across Hidalgo County and into Kenedy, Brooks, and Jim Hogg counties.

Drought in BROOKS, TEXAS
From 05-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 31-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Beneficial rain fell across northern and eastern Brooks County during the first week of August. While this did not improve drought conditions across these areas, drought conditions did hold steady, with the much of the northern half of the county abnormally dry (D0).  Further south though, where less rain fell, severe (D2) drought conditions spread along the southern edge of the county.   Occasional rain during the remainder of the month allowed drought conditions to hold steady through the end of the month.

Drought in JIM HOGG, TEXAS
From 05-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 11-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Periods of moderate to heavy rainfall fell across northern Jim Hogg County during the first week of the month. While the rainfall was beneficial it did not improve drought conditions where it fell, rather it allowed them to hold steady.  The northern quarter of the county remained drought free and the quarter below that remained abnormally dry (D0).  Less rain fell across the southern half of the county.  Severe (D2) drought conditions spread over the far SE corner of the county, while the remainder of the southern half of the county stayed in moderate (D1) drought conditions.

Drought in STARR, TEXAS
From 05-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 11-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Spotty rain fell across Starr County during the first week of the month, but it did little to improve drought conditions. Severe (D2) drought spread further north and east across Starr County. The eastern three quarters of the county were engulfed in severe (D2) drought, while the other quarter held onto moderate (D1) drought conditions.

Drought in HIDALGO, TEXAS
From 05-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 25-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Little rain fell during the first week of August across Hidalgo County allowing drought conditions to worsen. Severe (D2) drought spread further north and east across Hidalgo County, with the western third of the county in Severe (D2) drought, the middle third of the county in moderate (D1) drought and the eastern third of the county abnormally dry (D0).  Beneficial rain during the second week of the month didn���t improve drought conditions, rather drought conditions held steady.

Drought in KENEDY, TEXAS
From 05-AUG-14 00:00:00 to 11-AUG-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

While far northern Kenedy County received between half to an inch of rain, the rest of the county was not as lucky.  Severe (D2) drought edged into the far SW corner of the county, while much of remainder of the county experienced moderate (D1) drought conditions. Abnormally dry conditions continued across the NW and SE corners of the county.