Drought conditions continued to worsen during the month of April with very limited rainfall. Exceptional drought (D4) conditions have greatly expanded over a majority of the South Plains, Rolling Plains, and the extreme southern Texas Panhandle. Elsewhere, extreme drought (D3) conditions were present with only a few slivers of severe drought (D2) conditions remaining over the southern South Plains.
Rainfall events in April were few and far between for nearly the entire region. One of these few events occurred on the 20th and did bring significant rainfall to a few fortunate areas. On the 20th, parts of Childress County received as much as 3.25 of rainfall from thunderstorms. Through the end of April, Lubbock had received only 0.90 of rainfall on the year. Most areas have received only about 25% of normal rainfall to date. Temperatures went through wild swings again in April. By the end of the month, average temperatures were near normal. Keetch-Byram Drought Index values were also indicative of a worsening drought. Values between 500 and 600 were observed area wide with a few small areas observing values between 600 and 700.
Despite an exceptional drought with little rainfall and several high wind events, there were no large wildfires. Although these conditions usually result in large wildfires, the low fuel load has prevented many wildfires from initiating. Agricultural activities were pronounced with drought conditions further worsening farming and ranching. Not only did the lack of rainfall harm crops but high winds also damaged crops.
Economic losses due to drought through April since the drought began were estimated near $3 billion.

Drought in BAILEY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HOCKLEY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in KENT, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in KING, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LYNN, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in PARMER, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CASTRO, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LAMB, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in MOTLEY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in STONEWALL, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in BRISCOE, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in LUBBOCK, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 5.00M
Crop damage: 5.00M
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in YOAKUM, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CHILDRESS, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in SWISHER, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in COCHRAN, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in TERRY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in COTTLE, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in CROSBY, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in DICKENS, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in FLOYD, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in GARZA, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HALE, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor

Drought in HALL, TEXAS
From 01-APR-14 00:00:00 to 30-APR-14 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Drought Monitor