Exceptional Drought
Last weekend was not only Easter weekend, but Texas governor, Rick Perry, sent out a proclamation asking Texans to pray for rain. All of Texas is in a drought ranging from moderate to exceptional. The US Drought Monitor published a color-coded map showing the areas in drought. Unfortunately for my family, we live in the exceptional drought area. We have not received adequate rainfall for three years now, each year getting farther behind. This year we are starting to see dramatic results from the lack of rain.
In addition to the exceptional lack of rainfall, our temperatures are very high. The average high temperature in April for the city of Houston is 79 degrees. Most days the last couple of weeks have been in the 90s. Our forecasted highs for the next five days are 90, 85, 89, 90, and 86 degrees, which are far higher than the average. We are suffering from an exceptional drought along with above-average temperatures.
Strong winds are not helping our situation at all. Any moisture left in soil is being dried out. Topsoil is being blown away. Trees are dying. And, the winds are helping spread wildfires. Unbelievably 1.8 million acres in our state have been burned by wildfires. According to Fox News, 400 homes have been destroyed and two firefighters have died.
Needless to say, we are concerned. In the midst of our economic decline, the last thing Americans need is a severe drought. Historically, drought compounded the economic problems in the 1930s. People left their drought-ridden farms and migrated to other parts of the country, especially California, looking for work. Food prices soared because of the failing crops. Displaced families put a strain on other states. The severe drought coupled with high winds helped make the economic depression in the United States worse. It is known as the Great Depression for a reason.
Are we headed to repeat history? I hope not. It is not just Texas that is suffering from drought. Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, parts of Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and Kansas are also in drought.
At the same time, other states are inundated with rain. In Missouri, a levee has been breeched. Over 130,000 acres of farmland are in danger of being lost according to The Republic. Tornadoes have reeked havoc in Arkansas, North Carolina, and other Southern states.
Therefore, I feel that we need to be specific in our requests to God. We need rain, but not bad storms. We need rain, but not flooding. We also need an abundant harvest from our crops, whether you are a farmer or are tending a family garden. We need green, nutritious grasses for our livestock to eat. We need our animals to thrive regardless of the conditions.
Even if you are not raising your own fruit, vegetables, or meat, you need these things also. Otherwise, your pocket book is going to be hit even harder at the grocery store and restaurants. I am thankful that Gov. Perry called for Days of Prayer. Those days are officially over; however, please continue to pray for rain. Remember to pray specifically. May God restore this land to the right balance.
Some of our family are ranchers near Ft. Davis and Alpine. They have suffered through horrendous wildfires. By God’s grace, they have only lost fences, telephone lines, and grass–no animals, buildings or human life. But many others have lost homes, barns and animals. There is no rain expected out there until July–unless God is gracious and sends it early.
We join you in prayer that God will bless the land and those who live on it.
Here in NE PA we are having an excess amount of rainfall. We have had
three days of rain with thunder and lightning. It has been so wet we
have not been able to start the gardens. We wish we could send some down to TX. Lord bless you.
Thank you, Karen. I wish you could send some rain. Lara