Drought in Kenedy Island, Texas

Extreme (D3) Drought developed across the the northern third of the Kenedy County portion of Padre Island National Seashore (PINS), on November 18th and continued through and beyond month's end. The combination of dryness, warm to hot temperatures, and very low soil moisture contributed to the worsening condition here.

Persistent dry and near-record warm conditions into mid November exacerbated already low soil moisture levels across the South Texas Brush Country over to Kenedy County, resulting in expansion of Severe (D2) Drought toward the coast, including Padre Island National Seashore, and introduction of Extreme (D3) Drought in northeast Jim Hogg, northern Brooks, and northwest Kenedy on November 18th.

The extent of cattle impacts, such as herd culling and water shortages, were unknown as of this writing.