Drought

March short on rain

March followed the first two months of the year by producing little rain and adding to the growing rainfall deficit.Only 1.01 of an inch fell bringing this year’s total to 4.38 inches. Hallettsville is now 3.49 inches below the 30 year average of 7.87 inches.
This image was taken in 2024 on CR 198 (Brown School Road) in Lavaca County. Photo by Murray Montgomery

This image was taken in 2024 on CR 198 (Brown School Road) in Lavaca County. Photo by Murray Montgomery

Drought Dampens 2026 Texas Wildflower Outlook

By Murray Montgomery  -  Staff WriterSpring in South-Central Texas brings a colorful display of wildflowers, though the 2026 season is proving varied and somewhat patchy due to dry fall conditions, uneven rainfall, and ongoing drought in parts of the region.

Drought continues through December

The need for rain increased as dry conditions spread locally in December. The month saw only 1.04 inches which is 1.79 inches below the normal 2.83.Thanks to December and eight other months that were below normal the city ended the year with a deficit of 12.79 inches.
contributed photo

contributed photo

Dry weather taking its toll

Throughout this past summer Lavaca County, as well as all of South Central Texas, have been under the grips of a major lack of rainfall.According to local National Weather Service observer Larry Rothbauer this area’s rainfall has been very scarce throughout the last three months.

October ties 90 year old record with zero rain

Zero rain fell in October, tying a 90 year old record set in 1934. The month fell short of its normal average of 4.37 inches and took over as the year’s driest.October is one of the wettest months of the year and the total lack of precip has put the area in severe drought.
contributed photo

contributed photo

USDA drought

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack last week granted official drought disaster designations to roughly two thirds of the 254 counties in Texas, along with several counties in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Louisiana.

How drought affects wildlife

In the aftermath of the drought, hunters in Lavaca and DeWitt County are encouraged to hunt bright and early. “For Lavaca County, this has been the second hottest summer on the record.
Statewide Drought Information

Statewide Drought Information

Drought conditions only getting worse

The Lavaca County Office of Emergency Management urged last week that people use extra caution as dry conditions continue to plague Lavaca County and many of her neighbors.
Be watching for notices in the Mail in Moulton as the city enacts water restrictions.

Be watching for notices in the Mail in Moulton as the city enacts water restrictions.

Drought forces water restrictions in Moulton

The drought hasn’t been kind to Moulton’s water resources this year. The city spent several weeks and several thousands of dollars rehabbing the city’s newest well, Well No. 4, earlier this year, finally bringing it back online in early June.
Our friends over in Luling got doubly blessed Saturday, for not only was it the centennial of discovering oil just outside of that town, there also came a rain.

Our friends over in Luling got doubly blessed Saturday, for not only was it the centennial of discovering oil just outside of that town, there also came a rain.

It can’t get much worse, right?

If you thought Mother Nature had been exceptionally cruel this summer, just wait until winter rolls around, one of the nation’s longest running weather forecasters reported over the weekend.