Tropical Storm Don Could Bring Drought Relief to South Texas

By Ravelle Mohammed, Christian Post Reporter Thursday, July 28, 2011

The approach of Tropical Storm Don could bring welcomed relief to a drought-plagued Texas when it makes landfall Friday.

Certain places in the state have been without rainfall since May.

"Some parts of Texas are more than 15 inches below average (for rainfall)," said CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen in his forecast Thursday. "This storm will likely not be a drought-buster, but could put a dent in and around where the storm makes landfall."

For the farmers dealing with dried-up cattle ponds and farm fields, any amount of rain would be appreciated.

This is the third worst drought in recorded history, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That could explain why farmers now have an "I'll believe it when I see it" attitude, says Texas Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples.

Despite the desperate need for rain, Staples believes it could be damaging for cotton farmers along the coast.

He said, "Along the Gulf Coast they're harvesting cotton and it could add insult to injury because the rain lowers the quality and makes harvesting difficult.”

A tropical storm watch is in effect for the Texas coast, spanning from the mouth of the Rio Grande to west of San Luis Pass. Tropical Storm Don is expected to hit late Friday.

The Brownsville, Texas National Weather Service office reported that “isolated to scattered showers and some thunderstorms and tropical storm force winds will accompany Don as it makes landfall.”