Drought in Mccurtain, Oklahoma

An extended period of below normal rainfall coupled with much above normal temperatures from Fall 2025 into Winter/Spring 2026 led to the continuation of severe (D2) and extreme (D3) drought conditions from the U.S. Drought Monitor across much of McCurtain County Oklahoma through the month of April. Rainfall amounts during April only averaged around 2 to 3 inches across much of the county, which was only half or less the normal amount of rainfall for the month. Slightly higher amounts closer to 4 inches were observed in the far southern portions of the county. Coupled with the consistently below normal rain observed since Fall 2025, considerable hardships from area agricultural producers continued, as pastures had become dormant early, forcing farmers to provide hay and other supplemental feed much earlier than normal, as well as water as multiple ponds had dried up. An increase in wildfires also persisted, with the above normal temperatures continuing the drying of fuels. Streamflow from area creeks and bayous also fell below to much below normal as well. As a result, extreme (D3) drought remained across the southern half of McCurtain County during the entire month of April.