Drought in Cherokee, Texas

An extended period of below normal rainfall coupled with much above normal temperatures from Fall 2025 into Winter/Spring 2026 led to the expansion of severe (D2) and extreme (D3) drought conditions from the U.S. Drought Monitor across parts of East Texas through the month of April. Rainfall amounts during April only averaged between 3 to 4 inches across much of East Texas, slightly below the normal amount of rainfall for the month. 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 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, severe (D2) to extreme (D3) drought only further expanded during the month of April.