Southwest/Great Plains Drought

Losses, 2024 dollars

$5.2 billion

Losses at the time

$3.5 billion

Deaths

0

The losses and deaths are NCEI’s, counting everything the disaster did. The episodes below are only what the Weather Service filed in its Storm Events record, which counts damage differently and often not at all, so the two never add up and are shown apart.

• Drought in Pennsylvania, January 1 to 9, 20091 eventOn January 9th, the Ambler Water Company customers were notified that the drought emergency has ended.
• Drought in Texas, January 1 to 31, 2009$500,000 · 2 eventsSevere to extreme drought continued in Bell and Milam Counties as defined by the U.S. Drought Monitor. January was the second consecutive month with precipitation totals of less than an inch for both counties.
• Drought in Wisconsin, January 1 to 31, 200916 eventsAnother month of below normal precipitation caused severe drought conditions (D2), that began in late September 2008, to persist across parts of north-central, central and northeast Wisconsin. The severe drought (D2) continued through February 2009.
• Drought in Texas, January 1 to 31, 200915 eventsDuring January, drought conditions intensified across South Texas. By the end of January, extreme drought conditions existed across Bee, Goliad, Victoria, Refugio, and Aransas counties.
• Drought in Texas, January 1 to 31, 20099 eventsThe U.S. Drought Monitor upgraded all of the Northwest Hill Country and the adjacent areas to the west and north to an extreme drought. The continued lack of rainfall continues to impact the region both agriculturally and hydrologically.
• Drought in Oklahoma, January 1 to 31, 20095 eventsAccording to the Drought Monitor, a D2 drought continued through the month of January.
• Drought in Wisconsin, January 1 to 31, 20092 eventsSevere (D2) drought conditions continued across southeastern Sawyer County and Price County through the month of January, due to a lack of significant precipitation.
• Drought in California, January 1 to 31, 200911 eventsRainfall was lacking for the month of January, however, due to the wet December, native grasses and crops were not stressed. A statewide drought declaration remained in effect.
• Drought in Hawaii, January 1 to 31, 20097 eventsDry conditions continued to prevail over parts of Molokai, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii. County officials kept water restrictions in place.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 5, 20091 eventA large wildfire began around 1358 CST in northwestern Hemphill County approximately ten and a half miles north northwest of the Canadian Hemphill County Airport.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 12, 20091 eventThe Shelton Wildfire began around 1330 CST about one mile east of New Mobeetie in northwest Wheeler County...or just south of Farm to Market Road 1046. The wildfire burned an estimated nine hundred acres and was determined to have been caused by vehicles on the dry grasses.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 13, 20091 eventThe Camino Ancho Wildfire resulted from an escaped prescribed burn in rural Duval County. (N26 53.5032 W98 12.8240) The fire burned approximately 320 acres. Five homes were threatened and saved. Several local, state, and private resources responded.
• Wildfire in Georgia, January 16 to 20, 2009$650 · 2 eventsA series of Arctic air mass spread across north and central Georgia during the later half of the month. Rainfall was well below normal during this period. Soil and ground conditions were quite dry.
• Wildfire in Arkansas, January 17, 2009$10,000 · 1 eventAfter some precipitation during the first week of the year, a spell of dry weather began in Arkansas. Through the middle of the month, the passage of dry cold fronts brought gusty winds and low humidities, drying vegetation considerably.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 17, 2009$55,000 · 1 eventA wildfire started about five miles northeast of Bushland and spread southward...just north of the intersection of West Mile View Drive and Mile View Drive...and just south of Tascosa Road. The wildfire started around 1345 CST and burned about one hundred acres.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 19, 20091 eventThe East Broadway Wildfire began around 1043 CST about two miles east northeast of Stinnett. The wildfire began just off the roadway along Farm to Market Road 1526 and consumed seven hundred and forty acres.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 19 to 20, 2009$10 million · 2 eventsA weak front brought dry air and gusty winds across the Rio Grande Valley during the afternoon of January 19th, 2009. Temperatures, aided by downsloping, northwest winds, rose into the mid and upper 80s, while humidity plummeted to between 10 and 15 percent.
• Wildfire in Oklahoma, January 19, 20091 injured · $20,000 · 1 eventA wildfire occurred just off U.S. Highway 54 about five miles southwest of Guymon around 1548 CST. The wildfire was caused by a hay truck which had caught fire and the high winds drove the fire directly toward homes and other property.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 19, 20091 eventThe Caldin Wildfire started approximately 1915 CST about six miles southeast of White Deer in eastern Carson County. The wildfire occurred just east of the intersection of County Road 13 and County Road CC and was reportedly caused by friction from cattle rubbing on a pole.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 21, 20091 eventThe Salt Lake Wildfire burned between 50 and 100 acres in Aransas County, just west of Rockport. 40 homes were threatened and saved, and numerous residents had to be evacuated. Several local, state, and private resources responded. One firefighter was injured.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 22 to 23, 20091 injured · $500,000 · 1 eventThe combination of very dry vegatation and gusty winds resulted in a large wildfire across Jones County.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 22, 2009$85,000 · 1 eventWind speeds of 10 to 15 MPH with gusts to 25 MPH combined with relative humidity values of 10% in the afternoon hours across Wise County. At least two destructive grassfires resulted. One mobile home, a barn, two vehicles, as well as about 90 acres were consumed by the fires.
• Wildfire in Arkansas, January 22, 2009$60,000 · 1 eventThe dry weather continued into the third week of January. Breezy conditions and low humidities contributed to an increasing number of wildfires, but few of these fires consumed more than 100 acres.
• Wildfire in Oklahoma, January 23, 20091 eventA large wildfire was reported around 1130 CST about three miles west of Knowles...one and a half miles south of U.S. Highway 64. The wildfire may have started by a pumpjack backfiring. No structural damage or injuries were reported.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 24, 20091 eventThe Mustang Ridge Wildfire burned 900 acres on Mustang Island in Nueces County. Several local, state, and volunteer resources responded. The exact beginning time was not known.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 25, 20091 eventThe Darrouzett Wildfire began around 1320 CST roughly two miles east southeast of Darrouzett...just west of the intersection of State Highway 15 and State Highway 305 in northeastern Lipscomb County.
• Drought in Texas, January 27 to 31, 20098 eventsDespite a wet summer and early fall of 2008, precipitation was scarce over the west Texas South Plains region from late October 2008 through January 2009.
• Drought in Oklahoma, January 27 to 31, 20096 eventsAccording to the Drought Monitor, a D2 drought began in late January. Well below normal precipitation had been reported for several months over southwest Oklahoma, finally pushing the region into the D2 drought category.
• Wildfire in Montana, January 31, 20091 eventFire of an unknown origin consumed 20000 acres of grassland. The blaze was aided by strong surface winds.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 31, 20091 eventThe Carson County Wildfire...but later re-named the Tri-County Wildfire...started off Texas State Highway 152 about four miles east southeast of Skellytown at approximately 1237 CST.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 31, 20091 eventThe wildfire started seven miles northwest of Pampa in southwestern Roberts County at approximately 1300 CST. There were no reports of injuries or structural damage from the wildfire which consumed an estimated thirty-two hundred acres.
• Wildfire in Texas, January 31, 20091 eventA large wildfire began around 1600 CST about sixteen miles northwest of Amarillo north of the intersection of Farm to Market Road 2381 and Farm to Market Road 1061. The wildfire burned an estimated one thousand acres...however no structural damage or injuries were reported.
• Drought in Texas, February 1 to 11, 2009$5.0 million · 8 eventsDespite a wet summer and early fall of 2008, precipitation was scarce over the west Texas South Plains region from late October 2008 through February 2009. Severe (D2) drought developed over the Rolling Plains during late January and persisted through February.
• Drought in Texas, February 1 to 28, 2009$790,000 · 18 eventsSevere to Exceptional Drought continues to be observed across much of the western half of north Texas according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Crops continue to suffer or are not being planted and stock tanks are drying up due to the lack of rain.
• Drought in Texas, February 1 to 28, 200924 eventsA persistent drought continues across much of West Central Texas with very little rainfall across the region since November of 2008. This has resulted in rainfall deficiencies of 4 to 6 inches below normal through the end of February.
• Drought in Oklahoma, February 1 to 28, 200922 eventsDry conditions continued over much of Southern Oklahoma, with well below average precipitation again in February. The dry conditions were having an effect on the young wheat crop, and farm ponds were running low, making it hard to keep cattle on grazing lands.
• Drought in Wisconsin, February 1 to 28, 200916 eventsThe lack of significant precipitation during the month caused severe drought conditions (D2), that began in late September 2008, to persist across parts of north-central, central and northeast Wisconsin. The severe drought (D2) continued through March 2009.
• Drought in Texas, February 1 to 28, 200915 eventsDuring February, drought conditions intensified across South Texas. All of South Texas experienced less than 25% of normal rainfall for the month of February, with much of the area less than 5% normal.
• Drought in Texas, February 1 to 28, 20098 eventsDry conditions continued over much of the area, with well below average precipitation again in February. The dry conditions were having an effect on the young wheat crop, and farm ponds were running low, making it hard to keep cattle on grazing lands.
• Drought in Wisconsin, February 1 to 28, 20092 eventsSevere (D2) conditions continued across southeastern Sawyer County and all of Price County. By the second week of the month, the severe drought conditions had spread into southern Ashland and southern Iron counties.
• Drought in California, February 1 to 28, 2009$50,000 · 1 eventExtreme drought continued through all of February across much of northern California, including Lassen and Plumas Counties in the northeastern part of the state.
• Drought in California, February 1 to 28, 200911 eventsA series of storms brought rain and mountain snow on February 5th through the 9th. Another series of cold fronts followed on the 12th through the 14th, bringing more rain and snow to the region.
• Drought in Hawaii, February 1 to 28, 20098 eventsSome relief from the dry conditions occurred in February for several of the affected areas, though most sections remained in the Drought Monitor category D2 or worse. Water restrictions continued where applicable.
• Wildfire in Texas, February 3, 20091 eventA wildfire, located off of CR 238 in Duval County, burned 100 acres. One home threatened and one home saved. One building was destroyed. Numerous local and volunteer resources responded. The exact location and time was unknown as of this writing.
• Wildfire in Texas, February 3, 20091 eventA wildfire near Sandia, off of CR 361, burned 100 acres. Four homes were threatened and saved. Numerous local and volunteer resources responded. The exact location and time was unknown at the time of this writing.
• Wildfire in Texas, February 4, 20091 eventA wildfire in rural San Patricio County, near CR 96 and CR 95, burned 400 acres. Eight structures were threatened and saved. Several local and volunteer resources responded. The exact time was not known as of this writing.
• Wildfire in Arkansas, February 5, 2009$50,000 · 1 eventHigh pressure during the first week of the month brought dry air to Arkansas, along with an increasing threat of wildfires.
• Wildfire in Oklahoma, February 6, 20091 eventThe wildfire began around 1330 CST just west of U.S. Highway 54 and U.S. Highway 64 about one mile north northwest of Optima Oklahoma. There were no structural damage or injuries reported. The wildfire consumed an estimated five hundred acres and was contained by 1800 CST.
• Wildfire in Texas, February 6, 20091 eventThe Lee Road Wildfire burned around 160 acres near Lee Road and the State Highway 35 bypass. (N27 57.798 W97 07.718) 30 homes and 60 commerical building were threatened and saved. Several evacuations took place. Several local, state, volunteer and private resources responded.
• Wildfire in Texas, February 8, 20091 eventAn upper level disturbance moving from Arizona into New Mexico helped to deepen a trough of low pressure extending from the Oklahoma Panhandle southward through west Texas on February 8th.
• Wildfire in Georgia, February 9 to 11, 2009$15,000 · 1 eventAn overall dry first part of February combined with gusty winds led to several wildfires within United States Forest Service land. All of the wildfires were human caused.
• Drought in Wisconsin, February 10 to 28, 20091 eventDry weather during the latter half of January into the early part of February caused severe drought conditions (D2) in east-central Wisconsin to expand in coverage.
• Drought in Wisconsin, February 10 to 28, 20092 eventsSevere (D2) conditions continued across southeastern Sawyer County and all of Price County. By the second week of the month, the severe drought conditions had spread into southern Ashland and southern Iron counties.
• Wildfire in Texas, February 11 to 12, 20091 eventThe Riveria Beach Wildfire burned appoximately 20 acres in and near the town of Riveria, specifically near FM 771 and FM 1145. (N27 17.19 W97 41.9) Three homes were lost and 20 threatened and saved. Several evacuations took place.
• Wildfire in Texas, February 11, 20091 eventHigh pressure spreading into Deep South Texas behind a weak front ushered in dry air and moderate winds, especially from Jim Hogg eastward to Kenedy County but eventually dropping south into the Rio Grande Valley during the afternoon of February 11th.
• Wildfire in Georgia, February 12 to 14, 2009$2,000 · 3 eventsAn overall dry first part of February, combined with gusty winds, led to several wildfires within United States Forest Service land. All of the wildfires were human caused.
• Wildfire in New Jersey, February 12, 20091 eventA wind whipped forest fire burned about 40 acres in Galloway Township during the afternoon and evening on the 12th before it was contained. The fire was believed to be caused by arcing downed wires.
• Wildfire in Texas, February 18 to 28, 20092 eventsSeveral large wildfires broke out between February 18 and February 21 because of the rich fuels and the very dry and windy conditions. Some of the wildfires flared up and continued through the end of the month as elevated fire danger or red flag warning conditions persisted.
• Wildfire in Texas, February 19, 20091 eventThe Santa Gertrudis Complex S#13 Fire is suspected to have began as the result of arson along Highway 141. The wildfire burned appoximately 300 acres along Highway 141 and into the King Ranch. (N27 31.53 W97 55.58) Two homes were threatened and saved.
• Wildfire in Texas, February 20 to 21, 20091 eventThe Booker Wildfire began around 2300 CST about five miles south of Booker in northwest Lipscomb County between State Highway 23 and the Lipscomb and Ochiltree County line. Although no structural damage was reported...two homes were saved.
• Drought in Florida, February 24 to 28, 200910 eventsThe driest winter on record in many locations triggered the onset of severe drought conditions over southeast Florida.
• Wildfire in Texas, February 24 to 28, 20092 eventsElevated fire weather conditions prevailed due to a combination of low relative humidity values and wind gusts from the south at 15 to 20 mph. The drought has also increased the supply of dry fuels.
• Wildfire in Texas, February 24 to 25, 20091 eventThe general pattern of a West Texas trough of low pressure with departing high pressure into the central Gulf of Mexico, which had become fairly routine in February 2009, resulted in another day with increasing southeast 20 foot winds toward 25 mph, with higher gusts, on the…
• Wildfire in New Mexico, February 26, 2009$157,000 · 1 eventA fire developed at a residence along Scenic Road on the west side of Raton, NM around 500 am on February 26th.
• Drought in Florida, March 1 to 31, 200910 eventsDry conditions across Southeast Florida led to the continuation of severe drought conditions across most of the area during the month of March.
• Drought in Texas, March 1 to 31, 2009$10 million · 6 eventsDespite a wet summer and early fall of 2008, precipitation was scarce over the west Texas South Plains region from late October 2008 through March 2009. Severe (D2) drought developed over the Rolling Plains during late January and persisted through March.
• Drought in Texas, March 1 to 31, 2009$207,000 · 18 eventsSevere Drought continued across much of the western half of north Texas according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, although some relief was observed.
• Drought in Texas, March 1 to 31, 200924 eventsAccording to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the severity of the drought ranged from exceptional across parts of the Northwest Hill Country to extreme drought conditions across much of the the eastern Concho Valley, southern Heartland and eastern portions of the Northern Edwards…
• Drought in Oklahoma, March 1 to 31, 200921 eventsDry conditions continued over much of southern and western Oklahoma, with average to below average precipitation again in March. A small saving grace were late month thunderstorms and an unseasonably strong winter storm.
• Drought in Texas, March 1 to 31, 200915 eventsDuring March, drought conditions intensified across South Texas. Most locations along Interstate 37, west to the Rio Grande River experienced All of South Texas experienced less than 50% of normal rainfall for the month of March, with much of this area less than 15% normal.
• Drought in Wisconsin, March 1 to 31, 200915 eventsAlthough above normal in some locations, precipitation for the month was insufficient to alleviate the severe drought conditions (D2) that most areas were experiencing.
• Drought in Texas, March 1 to 31, 20098 eventsDry conditions continued over much of western north Texas, with average to below average precipitation again in March. A few thunderstorms brought beneficial rain, but only put a dent in the precipitation deficit that has occurred since October.
• Drought in Wisconsin, March 1 to 31, 20094 eventsSevere (D2) drought conditions continued through March due to continuing dry conditions and lack of appreciable precipitation, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
• Drought in Wisconsin, March 1 to 3, 20092 eventsA winter storm in late February brought significant snowfall to east-central Wisconsin. Precipitation from the storm was enough to cause drought conditions to be reclassified from severe (D2) to moderate drought (D1) in Waupaca County and Outagamie County.
• Drought in California, March 1 to 31, 200911 eventsA weakening cold front brought light to locally moderate showers March 4th through 5th. Rainfall in San Bernardino and Orange Counties ranged from one-tenth to one-half inch.
• Drought in Hawaii, March 1 to 31, 20097 eventsDry conditions continued to prevail over parts of Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii in March. Water restrictions remained in place for the affected areas.
• Heat in Arizona, March 1, 20091 eventNear record high temperatures were observed across South Central Arizona.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 2, 20091 eventThe Welder Claiborne Ranch Wildfire burned around 500 acres in rural Calhoun County. No structures were threatned. Several local and volunteer resources responded.
• Wildfire in Colorado, March 2, 2009$5,000 · 1 eventStrong afternoon winds sparked a wildfire from a controlled burn.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 2, 2009$30,000 · 1 eventThe Northeast Potter County Wildfire began about nine miles northeast of Amarillo at approximately 1630 CST and was controlled around 1700 CST. The Texas Forest Service responded to the fire which burned an estimated three acres.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 3, 20091 eventThe Carson McNeal Wildfire began around 0015 CST approximately five to six miles north of Panhandle...just west of the intersection of State Highway 207 and County Road 17. The cause of the wildfire was determined to be due to faulty oil field equipment.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 3 to 4, 20091 eventThe Pawnee S #21 Wildfire burned around 600 acres in rural Bee County, near Pawnee. N28 36.38 W97 59.25) No structures were threatened. Several local and state resources responded. The wildfire started from a hay bailer.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 3, 20091 eventThe Sandia S #18 Wildfire burned around 100 acres in rural Jim Wells County around FM 70 and FM 1876, near Sandia. N27 59.2 W97 50.9) 3 homes were threatened and saved. Several evacuations took place. Several local and state resources responded.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 4 to 5, 20091 eventThe Lee Miller Road Wildfire burned around 165 acres in rural San Patricio County, five mile south of Bayside. (N27 59.599 W97 13.585) Eight structures were threatned and saved. Several local, state and air resources responded. The wildfire started from electrical lines.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 4, 2009$200,000 · 1 eventA small wildfire near Azle burned nearly half an acre but destroyed two structures, a car, and a boat. Strong winds and dry conditions helped fuel the fire which required two fire departments to regain control.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 5, 2009$25,000 · 1 eventThe combination of southeast wind gusts in excess of 35 mph, humidity which fell just below the critical 35 percent threshold, and increasingly dry grasses were enough to rapidly spread a small trash fire to more than 1,500 acres in northern Hidalgo County near Edinburg.
• Wildfire in Illinois, March 5, 20091 eventWindy and dry conditions contributed to the rapid spread of a wildfire about three miles north of Raleigh in Saline County. The fire started as a burning semi truck. About 160 acres of woods and fields burned.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 5 to 6, 20091 eventThe Lake City S #24 Wildfire only burned around 10 acres in Lake City. (N28 05.17 W97 52.66) However, three homes were destroyed, 15 homes threatened, five outbuildings threatened, and two vehicles destroyed. Several local, state and air resources responded.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 5, 2009$100,000 · 1 eventStrong southwesterly winds promoted warm and dry weather and an ongoing drought to produce favorable conditions for wind-driven wildfires during the afternoon hours of the 5th.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 5 to 9, 2009$150,000 · 1 eventThe combination of very dry air and gusty winds provided conditions conducive to a wildfire.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 5 to 7, 20091 eventThe Spring Creek Wildfire began approximately 1500 CST approximately eight miles northeast of Borger. The wildfire burned an estimated three thousand acres...however no structures were threatened or damaged. There were no injuries reported.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 7, 20091 eventGusty southerly winds between a developing low pressure trough extending through West Texas toward the slopes of the Sierra Madre Oriental combined with broad high pressure across the Gulf of Mexico to maintain the threat for rapid spread of wildfire across much of Deep South…
• Wildfire in Texas, March 9 to 10, 20091 eventThe Lazy J Wildfire began around 1542 CST approximately eleven miles east southeast of Stinnett near the Canadian River north of Farm to Market Road 280 in southeast Hutchinson County.
• Wildfire in Florida, March 10 to 20, 20091 eventAn extended dry spell led to drought conditions and several wildfires across north Florida.
• Drought in Texas, March 10 to 31, 2009$30,000 · 4 eventsSevere Drought expanded into southern portions of north Texas by the middle of the month.
• Wildfire in Georgia, March 10 to 13, 2009$11,000 · 5 eventsAlthough drought conditions were dramatically improving across the state from generous winter and early spring rainfall, several wildfires were reported by the Georgia Forestry Commission, mostly across north Georgia.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 11 to 13, 20091 eventThe Powerhorn II Ranch Wildfire burned around 3000 acres in rural Calhoun County, near Powerhorn Lake. (N 28 26.65, W 96 30.27) No structures were threatned. Several local, state, federal and air resources responded.
• Drought in Oklahoma, March 17 to 31, 20096 eventsDry conditions developed over western and northwest Oklahoma by the middle of the month, with average to slightly below average precipitation in March. A small saving grace were late month thunderstorms and an unseasonably strong winter storm.
• Drought in Florida, March 17 to 31, 20095 eventsDry conditions during the month of March, in addition to very dry conditions since the beginning of the dry season, led to the development of severe drought conditions across Southwest Florida.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 17, 20091 injured · $100,000 · 1 eventBreezy winds and warm temperatures promoted very dry relative humidities near 10% over the central South Plains during the afternoon hours of the 17th.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 17, 20091 eventThe King Ranch 3260 Wildfire began around 1740 CST approximately nine miles west of Lipscomb...just north of Ranch Road 3260 in Lipscomb County. The wildfire burned an estimated six hundred and forty acres...however no structures were threatened or damaged.
• Wildfire in Colorado, March 18, 20091 injured · $3,000 · 1 eventWinds whipped a small fire being used to burn weeds into a raging wildfire.
• Wildfire in New Jersey, March 18 to 19, 20091 eventA brush fire caused by a downed utility line damaged 150 acres of Troy Meadows wetlands from the night of the 18th into the morning of the 19th. The fire was reported shortly after 6 p.m.
• Wildfire in Florida, March 18 to 19, 20091 eventAn extended dry spell led to drought conditions and several wildfires across north Florida.
• Wildfire in Georgia, March 20 to 23, 2009$11,000 · 3 eventsWhile the majority of the wild fires occurred during the first part of the month, three additional wild fires were observed during the later half of the month. Again, these were all human caused.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 21, 20091 eventThe Beck Ranch Wildfire began around 1816 CST approximately twelve miles north northwest of Middle Water in northwest Hartley County northwest of U.S. Highway 54. The wildfire burned an estimated three hundred acres...although no structures were threatened or damaged.
• Wildfire and Dust Storm in California, March 22, 2009$121,000 · 63 kt wind · 9 eventsAn upper-level trough coupled with a 125 MPH jet max and strong onshore pressure gradients brought light rain and strong winds to Southern California on March 22nd. Gusty winds knocked down trees, freeway signs, and power lines in the mountains and deserts.
• Wildfire in Colorado, March 22, 2009$20,000 · 1 eventStrong winds across the Grand Valley caused a campfire near the Colorado River to ignite a destructive wildfire.
• Wildfire in Pennsylvania, March 23 to 24, 20093 eventsThe combination of a dry March to date, breezy to windy conditions and low relative humidity levels made the 23rd and 24th vulnerable to fast spreading fires. Several brush fires occurred in Berks, Northampton and Monroe Counties.
• Wildfire in New Jersey, March 23, 20094 eventsA series of brush fires occurred across New Jersey on the 23rd. Most were in the northern part of the state as the combination of strong north winds, low humidity levels and a very dry March made it easy for fires to spread rapidly.
• Wildfire in Georgia, March 24, 2009$250,000 · 1 eventA weak back door cold front pushed through the region, resulting in erratic winds causing a prescribed burn to develop into a wildfire.
• Wildfire in Arizona, March 25 to 27, 2009$150,000 · 1 eventDry fuels along with windy conditions help spread the human caused Geronimo Wildfire in Cochise County.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 26 to 31, 20091 eventThe combination of very dry air and gusty winds provided conditions conducive to a wildfire.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 27 to 28, 20091 eventThe Flaca Wildfire burned over 2000 acres on the King Ranch in Kleberg County. (N 27 23 41.9, W 97 38 12.1) Four outbuildings and one mobile home were threatened and saved. Several local, state and air resources responded.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 27, 20091 eventThe Ray Point wilfire burned around 600 acres off Highway 72 East, near Ray Point. (N28 30.8038, W98 5.1743) Four homes and three outbuildings were threatened and saved. Several local and state resources responded. This wildfire started from a road side ignition.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 28 to 29, 20091 eventA major spring storm, rotating from the Texas Panhandle through extreme north Texas and into the Mid-Mississippi Valley between March 27th and 28th created extreme weather contrasts across the state, ranging from a blizzard in Dalhart and Amarillo to searing, record heat across…
• Wildfire in Texas, March 29 to 31, 20091 eventThe Farco Mine S#35 Wilfire burned around 2200 acres in rural Webb County. (N27 49.7330, W99 49.8657) No homes were threatened. Several local and state resources responded.
• Wildfire in Texas, March 30, 20091 eventThe Highway 1059 Wildfire began around 1545 CST approximately seven miles east of Borger in southeast Hutchinson County near Farm to Market Road 1059.
• Drought in Texas, March 31, 200910 eventsBelow normal precipitation, above normal temperatures, and nearly continuous drying winds were common across Deep South Texas during the month of March. In general, dry conditions persisted across the region since mid November 2008.
• Drought in Florida, April 1 to 30, 200915 eventsA very dry April across South Florida led to the intensification of drought conditions.
• Drought in Texas, April 1 to 30, 2009$3.0 million · 3 eventsThe month of April saw an overall improvement in an ongoing severe (D2) long-term drought which commenced over much of the west Texas Rolling Plains in January 2009.
• Drought in Texas, April 1 to 30, 2009$425,000 · 19 eventsSevere Drought continued to be observed across much of the northwestern third of north Texas according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
• Drought in Texas, April 1 to 30, 200918 eventsAccording to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the severity of the drought ranged from moderate to severe across much of West Central Texas. About seventy five percent of the dry land wheat crop failed. Many ranchers continued to supplement feed for their livestock.
• Drought in Wisconsin, April 1 to 30, 200915 eventsWet weather during the latter half of April caused most locations that were experiencing severe drought (D2) conditions to improve to moderate drought (D1). Parts of north-central Wisconsin remained in the severe drought (D2) category into early May.
• Drought in Texas, April 1 to 30, 200914 eventsDuring April, drought conditions intensified further across South Texas. There was slightly beneficial rainfall that fell across Victoria, Goliad and La Salle counties, but the more significant rainfall unfortunately fell just north of the region.
• Drought in Oklahoma, April 1 to 25, 200912 eventsConditions slowly improved through the month of April, although D2 drought did not end until a prolonged wet period toward the end of the month. The precipitation helped with ground water levels, and area ponds, lakes, and rivers were back to normal levels by month's end.
• Drought in Oklahoma, April 1 to 30, 200911 eventsDry conditions continued over much of southern and western Oklahoma, despite more normal precipitation for April. The precipitation definitely helped the parched earth, although the much of the region's wheat crop was an almost total loss in some areas.
• Drought in Texas, April 1 to 30, 200910 eventsBelow average precipitation, above average temperatures, persistent southerly winds, and increasing sun angle contributed to intensifying drought conditions in Deep South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley through the middle of April.
• Drought in Texas, April 1 to 30, 20098 eventsDry conditions continued over much of western north Texas, despite more normal April precipitation totals. The overall dry conditions continued to affect the wheat crop, with most locations reporting an almost total loss.
• Drought in Wisconsin, April 1 to 30, 20094 eventsLack of precipation during April continued the severe (D2) drought conditions across Price, eastern Sawyer, southern Ashland, and southern Iron counties.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 1 to 2, 20091 eventThe combination of very dry conditions and gusty winds produced a wildfire in Throckmorton County.
• Drought in California, April 1 to 30, 200911 eventsA weakening trough associated with a large cut-off low off the central California coast brought a period of light rain on April 7th. Most areas reported less than one-tenth of an inch of rain.
• Drought in Hawaii, April 1 to 30, 20094 eventsDry conditions persisted over parts of the Big Island of Hawaii. Water restrictions continued.
• Wildfire and High Wind in Texas, April 1 to 2, 2009$165,000 · 58 kt wind · 16 eventsA very dynamic upper air storm system dug southward over the plains of eastern New Mexico and then ejected eastward over the South Plains of west Texas during the late hours of the 1st and early morning hours of the 2nd.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 2 to 3, 2009$1.0 million · 1 eventA strong pacific front produced 40-50 mph winds gusts, relative humidity values of 5-10 percent, and an extremely critical fire danger threat across South Texas on April 2nd. Sparked power lines from the gusty winds started a wildfire in and near the community of Lagarto.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 2 to 3, 20091 eventA strong pacific front produced 40-50 mph winds gusts, relative humidity values of 5-10 percent, and an extremely critical fire danger threat across South Texas on April 2nd. Sparked power lines from the gusty winds started a wildfire in and near the community of Sandia.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 3 to 5, 20091 eventThe Turtle Creek Wildfire burned roughly 5000 acres on the Padre Island National Seashore (N27.34167 W97.33667). No structures were reported destroyed.
• Wildfire in California, April 3, 2009$250,000 · 1 eventA 50 acre brush fire in Palm Springs, driven by strong gusty winds, damaged two homes and led to the evacuation of 50 other homes. The fire began in the late afternoon, burning desert scrub near a residential neighborhood. The fire was contained later that evening.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 4 to 5, 2009$20,000 · 1 eventA wildfire over 2000 acres resulted in over a dozen residential evacuations.
• Wildfire and Dust Storm in Texas, April 4, 2009$125,000 · 57 kt wind · 11 eventsA potent storm system swept over the U.S. Southern Plains on the 4th and produced damaging westerly winds that contributed to blowing dust and wildfires across west Texas.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 4 to 12, 20094 injured · $1.5 million · 1 eventThe Magic City Wildfire began around 1135 CST about four miles east of Kellerville in Wheeler County...just north of Farm to Market Road 2473.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 4, 2009$8,000 · 1 eventThe Evans Wildfire began around 1300 CST about eight miles south southeast of Kingsmill between State Highway 70 and Thomas Road just north of Davis Road. The wildfire consumed an estimated two thousand acres and was determined to have been caused by faulty oil field equipment.
• Wildfire in Georgia, April 4, 2009$150 · 1 eventDespite moist ground conditions from abundant recent rainfall, a human-caused wildfire was observed buring 4.2 acres in the Shoal Creek area of Jones county.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 5, 2009$200,000 · 1 eventThe Holiday Beach Wildfire burned 70 acres in the town of Holiday Beach. One commercial building, one unoccupied mobile home, one barn, one garage, five goose neck trailers, and seven vehicles were destroyed. Over 100 additional homes were threatened and saved.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 5 to 6, 20091 eventThe Gribbin Wildfire burned 300 acres in rural San Patricio County, south of Odem. (N27 54.164 W97 34.478). No structures were reported destroyed.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 6, 2009$250,000 · 1 eventThe Gregory Wildfire only burned 4 acres in the town of Gregory, but low relative humidity and gusty winds contributed to the critical fire behavior. The wildfire destroyed four homes and seven vehicles, and damaged two other homes. 100 homes were threatened and saved.
• Wildfire in Minnesota, April 8, 20091 eventVery dry conditions and strong winds caused a controlled burn to become uncontrollable near Dodge Center in Dodge County on April 8th. The wildfire burned six acres of grass.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 9 to 12, 20092 deaths · 2 injured · $8.6 million · 10 eventsDry and windy conditions resulted in explosive fire conditions in north Texas on this day. Some wildfires were rekindled fires that had been smoldering from earlier in the week. These wildfires burned tens of thousands of acres, multiple structures, and killed cattle.
• Wildfire in Minnesota, April 9, 20091 eventVery dry conditions and strong winds caused a grass fire to become out of control and burn two acres on the northeast side of Rochester in Olmsted County on April 9th.
• Wildfire in Wisconsin, April 10 to 14, 2009$62,000 · 2 eventsVery dry conditions during the first half of April 2009, combined with low relative humidities and strong winds, led to favored days of above normal and dangerous fire weather behavior. This led to several wild fires across western Wisconsin.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 12 to 14, 2009$270,000 · 2 eventsThe combination of very dry conditions and gusty winds produced wildfires in Brown and Callahan Counties.
• Drought in Texas, April 14 to 30, 20097 eventsBelow average precipitation and above average temperatures, combined with persistent winds and the seasonal increase of solar radiation, resulted in an intensification of the drought conditions across many portions of Deep South Texas.
• Wildfire in Wisconsin, April 17, 20091 injured · $500,000 · 1 eventVery dry conditions and strong winds across portions of central Wisconsin caused a controlled burn of grass clippings in a wooded area to quickly become out of control in Adams County on April 17th.
• Wildfire in Georgia, April 17 to 21, 2009$15,000 · 3 eventsDespite wet ground conditions, strong winds and low relative humidities following the departure of a strong storm system on the 15th, helped to fuel a couple of wild fires in the northeast mountains and another in Jasper county in central Georgia.
• Wildfire in New Jersey, April 18 to 20, 20091 eventA wildfire consumed about 315 acres of woodland in Atlantic County. The fire began about 2 p.m. EDT on the 18th. It started near the former Jersey Devil cabin off of Bremen Avenue in Egg Harbor City within the Pinelands National Reserve.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 20 to 22, 20091 eventThe Bina Wildfire burned 700 acres in rural Kleberg county, on the King Ranch. No structures were reported threatened or damaged.
• Wildfire in South Carolina, April 22 to 28, 2009$40 million · 1 eventDry windy conditions aided a large wildfire that burned a good portion of the Barefoot Resort.
• Wildfire in South Carolina, April 22 to 26, 20091 eventA wildfire occurred near the community of Sandy Island.
• Wildfire in Florida, April 22 to 30, 20091 eventLightning sparked a large wildfire in the Big Cypress Preserve in interior Collier County.
• Wildfire in Minnesota, April 23, 20091 eventA wildfire caused by very dry conditions and strong winds burned five acres on the southwest side of Rochester in Olmsted County on April 23.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, April 25 to 27, 200925 injured · 7 eventsAn unusually early heat wave affected southeastern Pennsylvania from April 25th through the 27th with high temperatures in the lower 90s each day. High temperatures also reached into the lower 90s on the 26th and 27th in the Lehigh Valley.
• Wildfire in Georgia, April 27 to 29, 2009$4,000 · 2 eventsA drier spell during the end of April combined with gusty winds and low relative humidity resulted in two additional wildfires in the northeast Georgia mountain county of Union. Both were human caused, labeled Sharp Top and Copper Gap, respectively.
• Wildfire in New Jersey, April 28, 20091 eventA large brush fire occurred in the area of Olympic Drive near railroad tracks in Woodbridge (Middlesex County). Several fire companies assisted in extinguishing the blaze. No damage to properties or buildins were reported.
• Wildfire in Pennsylvania, April 28, 20091 eventA wildfire scorched a heavily forested strip of land nearly two miles long in Bowmanstown and Lower Towamensing Township in Carbon County. There was concern that the fire might damage some homes and buildings, but none were damaged. The fire was reported about 4 p.m.
• Wildfire in Texas, April 30, 20091 eventPersistent high pressure over the central Gulf of Mexico, combined with the semi-permanent trough of low pressure across west Texas into northern Mexico, continued to result in breezy to windy conditions, along with hot temperatures, in Deep South Texas.
• Wildfire and Drought in Florida, May 1 to 26, 200916 eventsThe winter/spring drought over South Florida intensified during early parts of May, but came to a quick end as copious rainfall fell during the last 2 weeks of the month.
• Drought in Texas, May 1 to 31, 2009$6.0 million · 3 eventsDespite a wet summer and early fall of 2008, precipitation was scarce over the west Texas South Plains region, especially over the southern Rolling Plains from late October 2008 through May 2009.
• Drought in Texas, May 1 to 30, 2009$115,000 · 6 eventsSevere and Extreme Drought continued to be observed across parts of the western and extreme southern portions of north Texas according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. However, conditions had improved in several counties by the end of the month.
• Drought in Texas, May 1 to 31, 200915 eventsDuring May, extreme to exceptional drought conditions continued across most of South Texas.
• Drought in Texas, May 1 to 31, 200912 eventsThe drought continued to plague the northern Big Country and the Northwest Hill Country while spring showers brought improvements to the remainder of West Central Texas. Stock water tanks and pond levels were dropping daily and becoming a major concern.
• Drought in Texas, May 1 to 11, 200910 eventsPrecipitation remained below normal and temperatures continued above normal across Deep South Texas the first few weeks of May. Soil moisture continued abnormally to excessively dry.
• Drought in Texas, May 1 to 31, 20098 eventsThe severe drought that had been ongoing since September 2008 began to subside, as most locations received above normal precipitation for the month.
• Drought in Wisconsin, May 1 to 31, 20094 eventsContinuing dry conditions and lack of appreciable rain led the U.S. Drought Monitor to continue its severe (D2) drought declaration for Sawyer, Price, southern Ashland, and southern Iron counties, through the month of May.
• Drought in Wisconsin, May 1 to 12, 20093 eventsA period of wet weather during the early part of the month led to brought an end to severe drought (D2) conditions across north-central Wisconsin. The area was moved into the moderate drought (D1) category less than two weeks into the month.
• Drought in Oklahoma, May 1 to 19, 20092 eventsPrecipitation returned in a big way during the latter part of April and early May, with many locations receiving above average precipitation for the month of May. However, the drought from September 2008 to March 2009 was too much to overcome.
• Drought in California, May 1 to 31, 200911 eventsA weak trough of low pressure brought mid-level moisture over the area on the 18th and 19th, leading to scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms over the mountains and deserts. No measurable precipitation was reported.
• Drought in Hawaii, May 1 to 31, 20094 eventsDry weather continued through May, so water restrictions remained in place over parts of the Big Island of Hawaii.
• Wildfire in Arizona, May 5 to 7, 20091 injured · $560,000 · 1 eventA brush fire burned more than 5,000 acres and at least four homes in a subdivision near Fort Huachuca's West Gate. One person suffered burn injuries related to the fire. Dry westerly flow brought dry conditions to Santa Cruz County, with winds gusting to near 25 mph.
• Wildfire in California, May 5 to 20, 200960 injured · $34 million · 2 eventsThe Jesusita Fire burned over 8,700 acres in the hills above the city of Santa Barbara. This wildfire was driven by a combination of a large dead fuel bed and Sundowner winds gusting over 60 MPH.
• Wildfire in Florida, May 8, 2009$65,000 · 1 eventVery dry and windy conditions led to a brush fire in East Naples.
• Drought in Texas, May 12 to 31, 200911 eventsAn early month heat wave, where temperatures were some 8 to 10 degrees higher than average, combined with low afternoon humidity, increasing sun angle, and strong winds wicking away any moisture allowed Drought to intensify across all of South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.
• Wildfire in California, May 12, 20091 eventA small fire fueled by gusty winds destroyed a shed and an abandoned house in Otay Mesa.
• Wildfire and Hail in Texas, May 12, 2009$72,000 · 1.75 in hail · 13 eventsIsolated to scattered thunderstorms impacted the South Plains of west Texas during the late afternoon and evening hours of the 12th. Storms initially developed west of a dryline over the central South Plains after 17:00 CST.
• Heat and High Wind in California, May 12 to 16, 200963 kt wind · 5 eventsTemperatures slowly warmed through May 6th, then the central and southern San Joaquin Valley cooled a few degrees on the 7th as a push of marine air filled the Valley. This pool of marine air rapidly mixed out, and Fresno had a high of 90 degrees on May 9th.
• Heat in California, May 17, 200911 injured · $30,000 · 10 eventsHigh pressure aloft centered over Reno, NV along with weak offshore flow at the surface caused temperatures to rise to near 100 degrees in the inland valleys of north-central California.
• Drought in Texas, May 19 to 31, 20091 eventA weakening frontal system moving through Deep South Texas sparked locally heavy rains across the western Rio Grande Valley and Rio Grande Plains of Deep South Texas in mid May, and ultimately reduced drought by one category, from Exceptional to Extreme, for the assessment…
• Heat in California, May 19, 20091 death · 1 eventHigh temperatures over 110 degrees in Death Valley National Park contributed to the death of one man.
• Wildfire in Michigan, May 20 to 26, 2009$4.0 million · 2 eventsA warm frontal passage on the 20th pushed record heat and very dry conditions across Upper Michigan. This warm front combined with wind gusts up to 50 mph to spark two large wildfires in the afternoon across Marquette and Baraga Counties.
• Wildfire in Arizona, May 25 to 31, 20092 eventsTwo lightning caused fires near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon were allowed to burn to meet management ecological and protection objectives. The Game Reserve fire started on May 29 about nine miles southeast of the Grand Canyon Village in the Grand Canyon National Park.
• Drought in Texas, May 26 to 31, 20098 eventsRainfall associated with a series of upper level disturbances moving across Deep South Texas during the last week of May helped slow the rate of drought intensity across the region to close out the month.
• Drought in Wisconsin, May 26 to 31, 20092 eventsA period of dry weather across northern Wisconsin caused severe drought (D2) conditions to return to the extreme western parts of Oneida County and Vilas County.
• Wildfire in California, May 27 to 28, 20091 eventTwo vegetation fires began on May 27th near the Lake Perris State Recreation Area. The fire led to an evaction of the Lake Perris State Recreation Area campground and several roads were closed in the area.The 503 acre fire was contained around 1700 PST on May 28th.
• Wildfire in Arizona, May 30 to 31, 2009$3.0 million · 1 eventThe lightning caused Pioneer Fire started on May 30 near Globe Arizona and burned through ponderosa pine, manzanita, and oak brush vegetation in steep, rough terrain. The fire threatened multi-million dollar communication towers in the Pinal Mountains.
• Wildfire in Arizona, May 31, 20091 eventThe Point Fire was started by lightning on Milk Point Ranch about 3 miles northeast of Pine, Arizona was managed for resource benefits. The final size of the fire was 1300 acres.
• Drought in Texas, June 1 to 30, 2009$2.5 million · 3 eventsDespite a wet summer and early fall of 2008, precipitation was scarce over the west Texas South Plains region from late October 2008 through May 2009, especially over the southern Rolling Plains.
• Drought in Texas, June 1 to 30, 2009$35,000 · 3 eventsDrought conditions improved across the western counties of north Texas this month but worsened across the southern counties. Exceptional Drought was declared in Milam County by the end of the month.
• Drought in Texas, June 1 to 30, 200915 eventsDuring June, extreme to exceptional drought conditions continued across most of South Texas. The entire region saw less than 50% of normal rainfall for the month of June, with many locations only receiving between 5-10% of normal rainfall for the month.
• Drought in Texas, June 1 to 30, 200910 eventsWelcome rains around and just after Memorial Day (May 27 and 28) helped begin the process to improve drought conditions across portions of Deep South Texas, beginning in early June and continuing through mid to late June.
• Drought in Wisconsin, June 1 to 30, 20094 eventsContinuing dry conditions and lack of appreciable rain led the U.S. Drought Monitor to continue its severe (D2) drought declaration for Sawyer, Price, southern Ashland, and southern Iron counties, through the month of June.
• Drought in Wisconsin, June 1 to 30, 20092 eventsAnother month of dry weather across northern Wisconsin resulted in the continuation of severe drought (D2) conditions in the extreme western parts of Oneida County and Vilas County. June rainfall at Rhinelander (Oneida Co.) was 2.39 inches below normal.
• Wildfire in Arizona, June 1 to 23, 20091 eventThe Point Fire was started by lightning on Milk Point Ranch about 3 miles northeast of Pine, Arizona was managed for resource benefits. The final size of the fire was 1300 acres.
• Wildfire in Arizona, June 1 to 25, 20091 eventTwo lightning caused fires near the South Rim of the Grand Canyon were allowed to burn to meet management ecological and protection objectives. The Game Reserve fire started on May 29 about nine miles southeast of the Grand Canyon Village in the Grand Canyon National Park.
• Wildfire in Arizona, June 1 to 20, 20091 eventThe lightning caused Pioneer Fire started on May 30 near Globe Arizona and burned through ponderosa pine, manzanita, and oak brush vegetation in steep, rough terrain. The fire threatened multi-million dollar communication towers in the Pinal Mountains.
• Wildfire and Hail in California, June 1 to 30, 20091 injured · $2.0 million · 1.25 in hail · 11 eventsThunderstorms developed over western Fresno County during the evening of June 4th, and rapidly grew in intensity. One severe thunderstorm had a reflectivity of 73 dBz, and a VIL (vertically integrated liquid) of 43 g/kg.
• Drought in California, June 1 to 30, 200911 eventsA deep marine layer brought light rain and drizzle to the coastal areas the first two days of the month, with accumulations less than one tenth of an inch. On the 3rd, anomalous low pressure off the central California coast triggered bands of convection.
• Drought in Hawaii, June 1 to 30, 20094 eventsConditions remained dry across parts of the Big Island of Hawaii. Water restrictions continued.
• Drought in Texas, June 2 to 30, 20092 eventsRainfall from scattered to numerous thunderstorms across the Lower Rio Grande Valley between June 1st and June 3rd increased the soil moisture a little bit across Cameron County, resulting in a slight decrease in drought intensity for nearly all of June.
• Wildfire in California, June 7 to 30, 20091 eventThe Harden wildfire located in Yosemite NP, ignited on June 7th at 2301 PST due to lightning. The location was 13 miles north of Yosemite Valley in Mariposa County. The size was 1661 acres. Containment was on July 10th. Cost to containment was $880,000.
• Drought in Texas, June 9 to 30, 2009$30,000 · 3 eventsDue to below normal rainfall, drought conditions worsened during the month of June across the far southern counties of north Texas. Local farmers and ranchers continued to suffer due to minimal rainfall received across the southern counties of north Texas.
• Drought in Hawaii, June 9 to 30, 20093 eventsConditions worsened over parts of West Maui and the Central Valley during June. Water restrictions became necessary again because of low rainfall.
• Heat in Texas, June 12, 20091 death · 1 eventStrong high pressure above the surface, combined with a weak front approaching North Texas, helped import higher than average surface dew points into the Lower Rio Grande Valley, along with air temperatures a few degrees above normal.
• Wildfire and Heavy Rain in California, June 13 to 30, 20091 death · 2 eventsUnsettled weather remained across inland Central California through much of early and mid June due to upper level low pressure and pulses of energy in the upper atmosphere. Scattered thunderstorms were common during this time period over the Southern Sierra Nevada.
• Excessive Heat in Missouri, June 17 to 27, 20092 deaths · 123 injured · 3 eventsThe first Heat Wave of the summer hit from June 17 through June 27. Heat Index values ranged from 100 to 107 during the period. High temperatures ranged from the lower to upper 90s. There were two deaths in St. Louis County from the heat with 80 injuries.
• Excessive Heat in Illinois, June 17 to 27, 20091 death · 2 eventsThe first Heat Wave of the summer hit the Metro East area from June 17th through June 27th. Heat Index values averages around 105 degrees during the period, although there was one day, the 20th in which the Heat Index cooled to around 100.
• Heat in Tennessee, June 17 to 28, 20099 deaths · 2 eventsA heat wave affected much of the MidSouth during the period between June 17th and June 28th as an upper ridge of high pressure built over the region. High temperatures soared into the mid to upper 90s with a few days topping out at or just above 100 degrees.
• Excessive Heat in Illinois, June 19, 20091 death · 1 eventA 29 year old Griggsville, IL resident died of heat stroke while working at a construction site in Valley City on June 19. High temperatures in the area were in the middle 90s with the Heat Index from 100 - 105.
• Excessive Heat in Alabama, June 19 to 23, 200924 injured · 2 eventsA large ridge of high pressure built over the region producing hot weather over several days. Daytime high temperatures reached the middle to upper 90s during this period.
• Heat in Illinois, June 19, 200917 eventsA ridge of high pressure built north from the Lower Mississippi Valley, keeping a hot and humid air mass over southern Illinois. The afternoon heat index peaked near 105 degrees. Actual air temperatures reached the mid 90's.
• Heat in Indiana, June 19, 20095 eventsA ridge of high pressure built north from the Lower Mississippi Valley, keeping a hot and humid air mass over southwest Indiana. The afternoon heat index peaked near 105 degrees. Actual air temperatures reached the lower to mid 90's.
• Heat in Kentucky, June 19, 20093 eventsA ridge of high pressure built north from the Lower Mississippi Valley, keeping a hot and humid air mass over northwest Kentucky. The afternoon heat index peaked near 105 degrees. Actual air temperatures reached the lower to mid 90's.
• Heat in Missouri, June 19, 20093 eventsA ridge of high pressure built north from the Lower Mississippi Valley, keeping a hot and humid air mass over parts of southeast Missouri. The afternoon heat index peaked near 105 degrees. Actual air temperatures reached the mid 90's.
• Excessive Heat in Missouri, June 21 to 27, 200926 eventsThe first Heat Wave of the summer hit from June 21 through June 27. Heat Index values ranged from 100 to 107 during the period with high temperatures in the lower to upper 90s.
• Excessive Heat in Illinois, June 21 to 27, 200914 eventsThe first Heat Wave of the summer hit the area from June 21 - June 27. Average Heat Index values during the period were around 105 degrees. High temperatures were in the middle to upper 90s.
• Heat in Florida, June 21 to 22, 200910 eventsStrong surface west winds ahead of a rare late June cold front over north Florida along with strong high pressure aloft led to record heat over southeast Florida.
• Heat in Missouri, June 22 to 23, 2009$30,000 · 11 eventsA building dome of high pressure aloft was responsible for near record high temperatures. Combined with high humidity, the heat index soared to between 105 and 110 on the afternoon of the 22nd and again on the afternoon of the 23rd.
• Excessive Heat in Illinois, June 22 to 25, 20095 deaths · 3 eventsTemperatures climbed to near 90 on June 22nd and into the middle 90s on June 23rd, 24th and 25th with afternoon heat indices in the upper 90s. Overnight low temperatures ranged from the lower to middle 70s.
• Heat in Illinois, June 22 to 23, 20091 death · 19 eventsA building dome of high pressure aloft was responsible for near record high temperatures. Combined with high humidity, the heat index soared to between 105 and 110 on the afternoon of the 22nd. In many places, the heat index peaked near 105 on the afternoon of the 23rd.
• Heat in Nebraska, June 22 to 24, 2009$4.0 million · 5 eventsA strong upper level ridge anchored across the central U.S. allowed for hot air to build into the region, and along with surface dewpoints in the upper 60s and lower 70s, made for muggy conditions.
• Heat in Kentucky, June 22 to 23, 200922 eventsA building dome of high pressure aloft was responsible for near record high temperatures. Combined with high humidity, the heat index soared to between 105 and 110 on the afternoon of the 22nd. In many places, the heat index peaked near 105 on the afternoon of the 23rd.
• Heat in Indiana, June 22 to 23, 20096 eventsA building dome of high pressure aloft was responsible for near record high temperatures. Combined with high humidity, the heat index soared to between 105 and 110 on the afternoon of the 22nd. In some places, the heat index peaked near 105 on the afternoon of the 23rd.
• Excessive Heat in Nebraska, June 22 to 23, 200916 eventsA period of hot and very humid conditions was observed over eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa on June 22nd and 23rd. High temperatures on the 22nd were in the lower to mid 90s and in the mid to upper 90s on the 23rd. Overnight lows on the 23rd were in the mid to upper 70s.
• Excessive Heat in Iowa, June 22 to 23, 20095 eventsA period of hot and very humid conditions was observed over eastern Nebraska and southwest Iowa on June 22nd and 23rd. High temperatures on the 22nd were in the lower to mid 90s and in the mid to upper 90s on the 23rd. Overnight lows on the 23rd were in the mid to upper 70s.
• Heat in Wisconsin, June 22, 20093 eventsA ridge of high pressure settled over the Midwest. A very warm air mass with light winds and plenty of sunshine allowed temperatures to warm into the low to mid 90s away from Lake Michigan. Dewpoint temperatures were in the low 70s.
• Drought in Texas, June 23 to 30, 20091 eventLocally heavy rains that affected Hidalgo and Starr County between May 24th and 28th, and again in June on the 1st and 3rd, knocked drought out of severe (D2) to extreme (D3) range and into moderate (D1) for the vast balance of the month.
• Drought in Montana, June 23 to 30, 20091 eventParts of the area experienced a drought, reaching a D2 status on the US Drought Monitor. Reduced crop yields for hay and wheat were the main impact of this drought.
• Heat in Wisconsin, June 23, 200913 eventsA ridge of high pressure remained in place over the Midwest on the 23rd. Temperatures reached into the mid 90s in many locations by late afternoon. In addition, dew point temperatures in the upper 60s to lower 70s allowed heat indices to rise to 100 to 106 degrees.
• Heat in Texas, June 23, 20091 death · 1 eventThe first heat related death in north Texas occurred in Garland on June 23rd. A Heat Advisory was in effect.
• Excessive Heat in Texas, June 24, 20091 death · 1 eventA ridge of high pressure both near the surface and aloft in the atmosphere settled in across the southern plains towards the latter half of the month.
• Heat in Texas, June 24 to 29, 20091 death · 23 eventsAn upper level ridge built over the area, corresponding to a period of hot and humid conditions. A number of indirect fatalities were attributed to the heat.
• Heat in Arkansas, June 24, 20091 death · 1 eventHeat lead to a death in Arkansas on the 24th.
• Wildfire in Nevada, June 25, 2009$10,000 · 1 eventA wildfire in Washoe Valley south of Reno was believed to have been caused by a lightning strike.
• Heat in Kentucky, June 26 to 27, 20099 eventsA strong dome of high pressure aloft brought very hot and humid conditions. The heat index on both afternoons peaked around 105 degrees in the far west part of Kentucky, from Kentucky Lake west. Actual high temperatures were in the mid to upper 90's both days.
• Heat in Missouri, June 26 to 27, 20097 eventsA strong dome of high pressure aloft brought very hot and humid conditions. The heat index on both afternoons peaked from 105 to 110 degrees in the far southeast part of Missouri, along and south of a line from Cape Girardeau to Poplar Bluff and Doniphan.
• Heat in Illinois, June 26 to 27, 20096 eventsA strong dome of high pressure aloft brought very hot and humid conditions. On the afternoon of the 26th, the heat index peaked around 105 degrees in the far southwest corner of Illinois, from Carbondale south and southeast.
• Heat in California, June 27, 20091 death · 1 injured · 1 eventHigh pressure over the San Francisco Bay Area along with weak surface flow caused afternoon temperatures to rise well above average for locations inland from the coast.
• Excessive Heat in Alabama, June 27 to 28, 20097 eventsA ridge of high pressure persisted over the region on the 27th and 28th, producing hot temperatures in the upper 90s to around 100 degrees. The heat combined with high humidity pushed heat index values into the 105 to 110 degree range on both days.
• Drought in Texas, June 30, 20091 eventLack of significant rainfall since late May, combined with ample sunshine, gusty winds, lowering afternoon humidity, and high sun angle began increasing drought impacts once again across Deep South Texas.
• Drought in Texas, July 1 to 31, 2009$54,000 · 6 eventsDrought conditions continued to worsen across the southern portions of north Texas in what is now being defined as one of the worse droughts in Texas history. The area did receive an average of 1-2 during the month and this did provide a little relief.
• Drought in Texas, July 1 to 31, 200915 eventsDuring July, extreme to exceptional drought conditions continued across most of South Texas. There was beneficial rainfall across northern portions of South Texas (from La Salle to Live Oak to Victoria counties) but not enough to make a dent in drought classification.
• Drought in Texas, July 1 to 31, 20098 eventsDrought conditions maintained their levels through mid July across Deep South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.
• Drought in Wisconsin, July 1 to 31, 20098 eventsContinuing dry conditions and lack of appreciable rainfall led to an expansion of the severe (D2) drought conditions to almost all of northwest Wisconsin during the month of July.
• Drought in Wisconsin, July 1 to 31, 20092 eventsAnother month of dry weather across northern Wisconsin caused severe drought (D2) conditions to expand across the rest of Vilas County and Oneida County. July rainfall at Rhinelander (Oneida County) was 2.12 inches below normal.
• Drought in California, July 1 to 31, 200911 eventsThere were a few days in July when isolated thunderstorms developed over the mountains and deserts, bringing brief heavy rain. Otherwise, dry conditions continued over most of the area. The State of Emergency continued for all of California.
• Wildfire in California, July 1 to 31, 20091 eventThe Lion Wildfire, located in Sequoia National Forest, ignited on 6/30/09 at 1030 PDT due to lightning strikes. The location was 3 miles northwest of the Blackrock Ranger Station on the Kern Plateau in Tulare County. The size was 2023 acres.
• Drought in Hawaii, July 1 to 31, 20099 eventsDry weather persisted over parts of the Aloha State in July; especially on Molokai, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii. Water restrictions were necessary in the affected areas.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, July 1, 20091 death · 1 eventA two-year-old boy died from the heat after he was left all day inside a parked minivan in front of a daycare center in Penndel. The boy was found unresponsive late that afternoon. The high temperature on July 1st at Philadelphia International Airport was 86 degrees.
• Heat in Texas, July 2, 20092 deaths · 1 eventA prolonged heat wave from the end of June through early July brought record temperatures and heat advisories to South Central Texas. Eighty-two year old twins died in San Antonio as a result of the record heat.
• Heat in Texas, July 4 to 5, 20093 eventsA hot and humid airmass settled over the area over the July 4th holiday. Afternoon heat indices around the Houston metro area ranged from 106 to 109.
• Wildfire in Texas, July 5, 20091 eventA 20 acre wildfire developed in drought-stressed fuels and near Red Flag weather conditions in the town of Rockport. Several homes were evacuated and few were damaged by the fire.
• Excessive Heat in Arizona, July 5 to 31, 20092 deaths · 1 eventStrong high pressure aloft dominated the southwestern states for most of the month. |July 2009 was the hottest month on record in Phoenix...wth a mean monthly temperature of 98.3F, which was 3.5F hotter than normal.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 6 to 12, 20091 eventThe Black Butte Fire was started by a lightning strike and burned 578 acres of timber 8 miles northwest of Sisters on the east slope of Black Butte.
• Heat in Texas, July 6 to 9, 20094 eventsThe combination of northwesterly flow well above the earth's surface - ahead of building mid and upper level high pressure - with a retreating/dissipating surface front in South and Central Texas, brought enhanced surface moisture along with near record to record heat across the…
• Drought in Wisconsin, July 7 to 31, 20091 eventSevere drought (D2) conditions across north-central Wisconsin expanded to include northern Lincoln County early in the month and then expanded to include the entire county by late in the month.
• Heat in Texas, July 9 to 10, 20093 eventsA hot humid air mass reestablished itself over the area, with afternoon heat indices as high as 111 on July 9th.
• Wildfire in Texas, July 10, 20091 eventA large wildfire began around 1645 CST about nine miles northwest of Gruver and consumed about one thousand acres. No damage or injuries were reported. A total of five fire agencies responded to the wildfire.
• Wildfire in Washington, July 11 to 16, 20091 eventThe Forrest Fire 30 miles west of Yakima started July 11 and burned 200 acres through July 16.
• Excessive Heat in Oklahoma, July 11 to 15, 20091 death · 25 eventsA prolonged period of excessive heat occurred across eastern Oklahoma in mid July. Daytime maximum heat indices ranged from 105 to 115 degrees with overnight low temperatures only falling to around 80 for several consecutive days.
• Excessive Heat in Arkansas, July 11 to 15, 20093 eventsA prolonged period of excessive heat occurred across west central Arkansas in mid July. Daytime maximum heat indices ranged from 105 to 110 degrees with overnight low temperatures only falling into the mid to upper 70s.
• Heat in Nevada, July 13 to 15, 20093 deaths · 3 eventsThree people died of heat related causes in the Las Vegas Valley. Temperatures had been at or above 80 degrees 24 hours a day since June 27th, and afternoon highs had been at or above 103 degrees all but one day since June 27th.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 13, 2009$30,000 · 1 eventA fast moving fire burned 3000-4000 acres of grass, brush, and wheat 10 miles west northwest of Pendleton. The fire was started by a downed power line and exacerbated by gusty west winds.
• Drought in Texas, July 14 to 31, 20093 eventsAfter a brief respite from continued hot, breezy, and relatively low humidity on July 7th, when locally heavy rainfall affected portions of Jim Hogg, western Hidalgo, Starr, and Zapata County, virtually no rain would fall for the remainder of the month from the central portion…
• Heat in California, July 15 to 20, 20098 eventsAround July 12th, a strong high pressure ridge began to build west into California, and strengthened over the next several days. Temperatures quickly warmed to well above normal, with widespread triple-digit high temperatures on the 14th.
• Heat in Texas, July 15, 20091 death · 1 eventA heat related death occurred in Austin TX.
• Heat in Nevada, July 18, 20091 death · 1 eventOne woman died in the Las Vegas Valley of heat related causes. Temperatures had been at or above 80 degrees 24 hours a day since June 27th, and afternoon highs had been at or above 103 degrees all but one day since June 27th.
• Drought in Texas, July 21 to 31, 20092 eventsHot to very hot temperatures, frequently gusty winds, low humidity, and no rain allowed Extreme to Exceptional Drought to spread across all of Jim Hogg and nearly all of Starr County for the last 10 days of July.
• Drought in Wisconsin, July 21 to 31, 200912 eventsSevere drought (D2) coverage expanded across northern Wisconsin in response to near-record low stream flows and large precipitation deficits. July rainfall was 2.93 inches below normal at Wausau (Marathon Co.) and 3.33 inches below normal at Marshfield (Wood Co.).
• Wildfire in Arizona, July 21 to 31, 20092 eventsLightning started the Wildhorse Fire about 16 miles north of Williams and the Red Fire about one mile south of Red Mountain on July 21.
• Wildfire in Washington, July 23 to 29, 20091 eventThe Johnson Lake Fire, located six miles north of Nespelem, was a lightning caused fire that burned 955 acres.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 24 to 30, 20091 eventThe McGinnis Creek Fire started July 24 from unknown origin. It burned 3417 acres of grass, timber, brush, and juniper on private and BLM land 12 miles southeast of Spray, Oregon. The fire was contained on July 30.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 25 to 31, 20091 eventThe Cougar Creek Fire in the steep terrain of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness southeast of John Day, Oregon burned 1,063 acres of brush, juniper, grass, and Ponderosa Pine between July 25 and August 4. It started from unknown causes.
• Heat in California, July 26, 20091 death · 3 injured · 1 eventA woman died of heat-related causes in Death Valley National Park.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 26 to 31, 20091 eventLightning on July 26 started the Long Prong Fire in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area 10 miles northeast of Imnaha, Oregon. The fire grew to 140 acres and ended on August 8.
• Excessive Heat in Washington, July 27 to 30, 20092 deaths · 5 eventsStrong high pressure aloft led to a major heat event for western Washington. The average temperature for July 2009 at Seattle-Tacoma airport was 69.5 degrees, the warmest July on record, and tying record for the warmest July on record in Seattle.
• Wildfire in Oregon, July 28 to 31, 20091 eventThe Williams Creek fire in the Umpqua National Forest started on 7/28/09 around 1 PM PDT. The cause is under investigation. As of 08/01/09, the fire was at 2,384 acres and 20 percent contained. The cost of the fire to that point was 905,000 dollars.
• Wildfire in Washington, July 28 to 31, 20091 eventThe Union Valley Fire, located three miles north of Chelan, was a lightning caused fire that burned 768 acres. The fire burned into the first day of August. Between 120 and 140 residences received level two and three evacuation notices.
• Heat in Nevada, July 29 to 31, 20092 deaths · 2 eventsTwo people in the Las Vegas Valley died of heat related causes. High temperatures on the dates of death were 107 and 108 degrees.
• Heat in Texas, July 30 to 31, 20094 eventsCompression of air near the surface, aided by northwesterly flow in the mid and high levels of the atmosphere, returned very hot temperatures to portions of the Rio Grande Valley to close July.
• Drought in Texas, August 1 to 31, 2009$87,000 · 6 eventsDrought conditions continued to worsen across Milam, Falls, and Bell County and remained stagnant across Robertson, Leon, and Limestone County.
• Drought in Texas, August 1 to 31, 200915 eventsDuring August, extreme to exceptional drought conditions continued across South Texas. There was beneficial rainfall across southeast Webb County, Duval County, and Victoria County.
• Drought in Wisconsin, August 1 to 31, 200914 eventsRainfall was below normal for the month across north-central Wisconsin, resulting in continued severe drought (D2) conditions in that part of the state.
• Drought in Wisconsin, August 1 to 7, 2009$17,000 · 2 eventsAs a carry over from July drought conditions reached the severe level in parts of north central and northwest Wisconsin during the first week of August before rainfall impacted the area around August 7th.
• Drought in Texas, August 1 to 31, 200910 eventsDry conditions and above normal temperatures at the end of July continued the first few days of August and maintained the end of July drought level intensities across Deep South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.
• Drought in Wisconsin, August 1 to 31, 20098 eventsDrought conditions worsened in August across northwest Wisconsin. Extreme drought conditions developed in an area from southeastern Burnett county, eastward to much of Price County, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
• Drought in Oklahoma, August 1 to 24, 20096 eventsD2 drought developed over parts of northwest Oklahoma because of a stretch of low-precipitation days in June into mid July.
• Drought in Oklahoma, August 1 to 3, 20092 eventsDry conditions from June into the first half of July allowed for D2 conditions to develop briefly over Dewey and Blaine counties. However, a large scale pattern shift allowed for more chances of precipitation beginning in mid July and continuing through August.
• Drought in Colorado, August 1 to 31, 200910 eventsAn abnormal monsoon season brought drier than normal conditions to southwest Colorado through the month of August. This resulted in low end drought conditions developing across the southwestern corner of the state by the end of the month.
• Drought in Utah, August 1 to 31, 20094 eventsAn abnormal monsoon season brought drier than normal conditions to portions of southeast Utah through the month of August. Low end drought conditions developed by the end of the month.
• Wildfire in Arizona, August 1 to 27, 20091 eventThe Wildhorse Complex started as two fires (Wildhorse and Red) on July 21, 2009. This natural fire was managed for resource benefits. The fire was contained on August 27th at 13,790 acres.
• Drought in California, August 1 to 31, 200911 eventsAn unseasonably strong low pressure center off the coast of Northern California produced a few light showers over the area on August 3rd and 4th. During the third week of the month, monsoonal flow produced scattered showers and thunderstorms.
• Wildfire in Washington, August 1, 20091 eventThe Union Valley Fire, located three miles north of Chelan, was a lightning caused fire that burned 768 acres. The fire began on July 28th. Between 120 and 140 residences received level two and three evacuation notices.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 1 to 16, 20091 eventThe Williams Creek fire in the Umpqua National Forest started on 7/28/09 around 1 PM PDT. The cause is under investigation. It was contained on 08/16 at 1800 PDT. The fire burned 8395 acres.
• Drought in Hawaii, August 1 to 31, 20099 eventsDry conditions persisted over parts of the islands, even though moisture from former Hurricane Felicia helped marginally in some drought-stricken areas. Water restrictions remained in place for the affected zones.
• Wildfire in California, August 1 to 17, 20093 eventsThe Hat Creek Complex and SHU Lightning Complex fires were started by lightning strikes from thunderstorms on the evening of August 1st. Approximately 1800 lightning ground strikes were recorded in Northern California.
• Wildfire in Oregon, August 1 to 12, 20091 eventLightning on August 1 started several fires which grew into the North Fork Complex adjacent to the rugged North Fork John Day Wilderness southeast of Dale, Oregon. The fires burned 1,360 acres of timber, grass, and brush.
• Wildfire in California, August 2 to 31, 20091 eventThe Harrington fire in the Marble Mountain Wilderness portion of the Klamath National Forest was started by lightning on 8/02/09 around 5 PM PDT. As of 09/01/09, it was at 142 acres and was 100 percent contained. As of 09/01/09, the cost of the fire was 482,000 dollars.
• Wildfire in Alaska, August 3 to 16, 2009$250,000 · 1 eventThe Hard Luck Creek Fire was a human caused fire that started on August 3, 2009, and was located between Murphy Dome and the Chatanika River approximately 20 miles northwest of Fairbanks. The fire burned a total of 12,834 acres and destroyed one home and two cabins.
• Drought in Texas, August 4 to 17, 20092 eventsDry, record to near record heat, and frequently breezy to windy weather courtesy of persistent high pressure ridge above the surface extending from the southwest U.S. to the central Gulf of Mexico worsened the drought across Cameron and Hidalgo County through mid month.
• Drought in Texas, August 4 to 31, 20091 eventContinued dry, very hot, and rain free weather across Zapata County intensified the drought from severe to extreme as the ridge of high pressure above the earth's surface persisted from the U.S.
• Heat in California, August 5, 20091 death · 1 eventA boy died in a remote corner of Death Valley National Park after being stranded with his mother for four days.
• Heat in Missouri, August 8 to 9, 20097 injured · 2 eventsHigh temperatures rose into the upper 90s in St. Louis. St. Louis County Department of Health reported 7 heat related injuries.
• Excessive Heat in Illinois, August 9 to 10, 20091 death · 1 eventHigh temperatures reached the lower 90s on August 9th and the middle 80s on August 10th. A 54 year old man suffered a heat stroke in Chicago and died.
• Wildfire in Texas, August 9, 20091 eventThe Premont Complex Fire in Jim Wells County consisted of 3 separate fires that burned 306 acres near the town of Premont. The first fire was 300 acres and located at CR404 & 406, the second 5 acres located at CR405 and U.S.
• Excessive Heat in New Jersey, August 10, 200917 eventsAs an area of high pressure was located off the East Coast on the 10th, a hot and very humid air mass (dew points in the mid to even locally upper 70s) was across the area.
• Excessive Heat in Pennsylvania, August 10, 20095 eventsAs an area of high pressure was located off the East Coast on the 10th, a hot and very humid air mass (dew points between 70 and 75 degrees was across the area. This resulted in peak heat indices at above the century mark.
• Excessive Heat in Maryland, August 10, 20095 eventsAs an area of high pressure was located off the East Coast on the 10th, a hot and very humid air mass (dew points in the mid to even upper 70s) was across the area. The heat index at Easton peaked at 105 degrees as the dew point was at 77 degrees.
• Excessive Heat in Delaware, August 10, 20093 eventsAs an area of high pressure was located off the East Coast on the 10th, a hot and very humid air mass (dew points in the mid 70s) was across the area. This resulted in high heat indices in the region, with peak values of 105 degrees at Georgetown and Dover.
• Heat in Pennsylvania, August 16 to 21, 20091 death · 5 eventsA high pressure system off the eastern seaboard pumped in hotter and then more humid air into the Philadelphia Metropolitan area during the week of August 16th. This gave the area its longest heat wave of the summer: 6 days.
• Heat in New Jersey, August 16 to 21, 200910 injured · 3 eventsA high pressure system off the eastern seaboard pumped in hotter and then more humid air into New Jersey during the week of August 16th. This gave the area its longest stretch of hot weather of the summer: 6 days.
• Drought in Texas, August 18 to 31, 2009$21 million · 4 eventsContinued record to near record heat, frequently breezy to windy conditions, low humidity for the time of year, and lack of rainfall allowed the 2009 Drought to peak before the end of August, ensuring massive dryland crop, pastureland, and livestock loss.
• Heat in Texas, August 20 to 21, 20094 eventsA developing upper level low pressure trough in the mid and upper Mississippi Valley helped push a weak cool front into north central Texas on August 20 and 21.
• Wildfire in Washington, August 20 to 25, 20092 eventsLightning started the Dry Creek Complex Fire from 6 miles north of Sunnyside to the Columbia River. It burned 49,000 acres from August 20 to August 24. Strong winds up to 40 mph occurred during the fire. A manufactured home and cafe were destroyed.
• Wildfire in California, August 21 to 31, 20091 eventThe Red Rock fire in the Marble Mountain Wilderness portion of the Klamath National Forest was started by humans on 8/21/09 around 7 PM PDT. As of 09/01/09, it was at 1382 acres and was 85 percent contained.
• Wildfire in California, August 26 to 31, 20092 deaths · 1 eventThe Station Wildfire started on August 26th in the mountains of Los Angeles County in the Angeles National Forest. The fire burned intensely into the middle of September. When the fire was contained, it had burned over 160,000 acres and destroyed numerous homes.
• Wildfire in California, August 27 to 31, 20095 injured · $60,000 · 2 eventsThe Cottonwood Fire began four miles East of Hemet on August 27th at approximately 5:13 PM PDT. The fire spread East along California Highway 74 towards Idyllwild in the San Bernardino National Forest. The fire burned 2,409 acres before being contained on August 31st.
• Wildfire in Washington, August 28 to 30, 20091 eventThe Concrete Plant Fire, located two miles northeast of Coulee Dam, was a fire of unknown cause that burned 600 acres.
• Heat in Texas, August 28, 20091 death · 1 eventA heat death occured after a mother left her seven month old baby in a car for five hours.
• Wildfire in California, August 30 to 31, 20094 injured · $1.0 million · 1 eventThe Oak Glen III Fire started on August 30th around 1:46 PM PDT near the community of Oak Glen in the San Bernardino National Forest. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for parts of Oak Glen. The fire burned 1,159 acres before being contained on September 8th.
• Wildfire in California, August 31, 20091 injured · $1.0 million · 1 eventThe Pendleton Fire began at approximately 3:30 PM PDT on August 31st near Yucaipa. Evacuations were ordered for 1,100 homes and some roads were closed. One residential structure and one outbuilding were destroyed in the 860 acre fire, which was contained on September 3rd.
• Drought in Texas, September 1 to 30, 2009$30,000 · 6 eventsDrought conditions finally got some relief this month when heavy rainfall fell across much of North Texas in the middle part of the month. Rainfall totals during the month of September ranged from 2-15+''.
• Drought in Texas, September 1 to 30, 200915 eventsThe severity of drought conditions eased across portions of South Texas during the month of September as a change in the upper level pattern brought widespread beneficial rainfall to the region. Most locations experienced near normal rainfall for the month of September.
• Drought in Texas, September 1 to 14, 20098 eventsDry conditions continued across most of Deep South Texas in early September. However a few showers across portions of the County Warning Area resulted in a slight improvement across portions of Jim Hogg, Brooks, Starr, Hidalgo, Cameron and Willacy Counties.
• Drought in Wisconsin, September 1 to 30, 20098 eventsAccording to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the temporary reprieve from extreme (D3) drought conditions came to an end in mid September, when D3 drought conditions redeveloped across Washburn, Sawyer, and most of Burnett counties.
• Drought in Wisconsin, September 1, 20095 eventsSignificant rainfall across northern Wisconsin during the final week of August resulted in the end of severe drought (D2) conditions in most locations by early September.
• Drought in Wisconsin, September 1 to 30, 20092 eventsSevere drought (D2) conditions continued across extreme northeast Wisconsin throughout the month.
• Drought in Colorado, September 1 to 30, 200915 eventsThe abnormally dry monsoon season allowed drought conditions to persist throughout the month across southwest portions of Colorado, spreading further into portions of west central Colorado. Conditions across extreme southwest Colorado escalated into the moderate drought category.
• Drought in Utah, September 1 to 30, 20094 eventsThe abnormal monsoon season allowed drought conditions to persist in most of southeast Utah during the month, with an escalation to moderate drought in extreme southeast Utah.
• Wildfire in California, September 1 to 3, 2009$30,000 · 1 eventThe Pendleton Fire began at approximately 3:30 PM PDT on August 31st near Yucaipa. Evacuations were ordered for 1,100 homes and some roads were closed. One residential structure and one outbuilding were destroyed in the 860 acre fire, which was contained on September 3rd.
• Wildfire in California, September 1 to 8, 2009$20,000 · 1 eventThe Oak Glen III Fire started on August 30th around 1:46 PM PDT near the community of Oak Glen in the San Bernardino National Forest. Mandatory evacuations were ordered for parts of Oak Glen. The fire burned 1,159 acres before being contained on September 8th.
• Drought in California, September 1 to 30, 200911 eventsThunderstorms on the 2nd and 5th of the month produced heavy rain in some desert, mountain, and valley locations, with isolated rainfall totals over one inch. The remainder of the month was relatively dry. California remained in a State of Emergency for the ongoing drought.
• Wildfire in California, September 1 to 5, 20091 eventThe Red Rock fire in the Marble Mountain Wilderness portion of the Klamath National Forest was started by humans on 8/21/09 around 7 PM PDT. As of 09/02/09, it was at 1382 acres and was 90 percent contained.
• Drought in Hawaii, September 1 to 30, 20099 eventsNo significant soaking rains occurred across the Hawaiian Islands in September. Very dry conditions continued to affect much of the state; with portions of Molokai, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii being the hardest hit. Water restrictions remained in force.
• Wildfire in Hawaii, September 1 to 5, 20091 eventDry conditions on the isle of Molokai contributed to a blaze that impacted parts of the island just north of Kaunakakai. The fire blackened about 8000 acres of brush from the end of August through early September. There were no reports of significant property damage or injuries.
• Wildfire in Washington, September 1 to 3, 20091 eventA wildfire of unknown cause burned approximately 310 acres just east of Malott, which closed Highway 97 for more than seven hours.
• Wildfire in California, September 7 to 12, 20094 injured · 1 eventThe Oasis Fire burned in the Cache Creek Wilderness in eastern Lake County.
• Drought in Texas, September 8 to 14, 20094 eventsDry conditions continued across most of Deep South Texas in early September. However a few showers moved across portions of the County Warning Area which allowed a slight improvement across portions of Zapata, Starr, Hidalgo, and Cameron Counties.
• Wildfire in Oregon, September 13 to 30, 20091 eventThe Boze fire in the Tiller Ranger District of the Umpqua National Forest was started by lightning on 09/13/09 at 0922 PDT. As of 10/01/09, it was at 14500 acres and was about 15 percent contained. Total fire fighting costs were 6.3 million dollars as of 10/01/09.
• Wildfire and Lightning Strike in California, September 13, 20091 injured · 2 eventsThunderstorms brought about 1500 recorded lightning strikes to northern California. One lightning strike injured a woman at a sporting event in Stockton and a number of small wildfires were started across the area.
• Drought in Texas, September 15 to 30, 20094 eventsDrought conditions improved the middle of September as areas of rain moved across portions of Deep South Texas.
• Drought in Wisconsin, September 19 to 30, 2009$26,000 · 2 eventsA three week dry period to begin the month led to parts of north central Wisconsin slipping back into severe drought conditions (D2).
• Wildfire in Oregon, September 21 to 28, 20091 eventTwo wildfires developed in southern Jackson county on 09/21/09. The first was the Siskiyou fire, which developed south of Ashland in the morning. In the afternoon, the Deer Ridge fire started on the east edge of Medford.
• Drought in Wisconsin, September 22 to 30, 200911 eventsLittle or no rainfall across northern Wisconsin during the first two to three weeks of September resulted in the expansion of severe drought (D2) conditions across the area.
• Wildfire in California, September 22 to 27, 200920 injured · 2 eventsThe Guiberson Wildfire burned over 17,000 acres in the valleys of Ventura County. The fire itself was driven by a moderate Santa Ana wind event with gusty northeast winds to around 50 mph reported in and near the fire.
• Wildfire in California, September 22 to 23, 2009$20,000 · 2 eventsTwo wildland fires broke out in Norco On September 22. The fire in the hills east of the city burned 160 acres destroyed a storage building, while the 85 acre fire in the Santa Ana River bottom caused minor damage to one home. No injuries were reported.
• Wildfire in California, September 26 to 29, 20091 eventA few wildfires continued during the month of September in the Sierra Nevada. The Power fire in Sequoia National Forest, ignited on September 27th early in the morning. The cause was unknown. The location was Highway 190 near Springville in Tulare County. The size was 400 acres.
• Drought in Texas, September 29 to 30, 20093 eventsShowers moved across portions of Deep South Texas the last week of September improving the drought situation across most of the County Warning Area.
• Drought in Wisconsin, October 1 to 7, 2009$25,000 · 2 eventsSevere drought conditions (D2), which began in September, continued into the early part of October across parts of north central Wisconsin. An inch or two of rain fell on October 6 and 7 that helped conditions improve.
• Drought in Texas, October 1 to 31, 200915 eventsThe severity of drought conditions continued to ease across portions of South Texas during the month of October, due to a change in the upper level pattern and impacts from El Nino producing beneficial rainfall across the region.
• Drought in Wisconsin, October 1 to 13, 20099 eventsModerate amounts of rain fell across northern Wisconsin during the first two weeks of the month. This resulted in an improvement from severe drought (D2) to moderate drought (D1) for much of the area.
• Drought in Wisconsin, October 1 to 31, 20098 eventsOngoing drought conditions continued into the month of October, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The area of extreme drought (D3) covered the following areas: southeastern Burnett County, Washburn County, Sawyer County, and southwestern Ashland County.
• Drought in Texas, October 1 to 31, 20094 eventsRains that fell across Deep South Texas in September resulted in improvement in the drought across the County Warning Area in early October.
• Drought in Minnesota, October 1 to 31, 20093 eventsAn extremely dry September led to drought conditions to develop in October from extreme northern Aitkin County, northern Cass County and northwestern Itasca County. According to the U.S.
• Drought in Texas, October 1 to 5, 2009$10,000 · 2 eventsThe month of October brought abundant rainfall to North Texas which continued to improve drought conditions across the region. The drought relief began in September and by the end of October, only two locations in North Texas were classified as Abnormally Dry.
• Drought in Wisconsin, October 1 to 27, 20092 eventsMore rainfall across the remaining severe drought area resulted in an improvement from severe drought (D2) to moderate drought (D1) for part of north-central Wisconsin.
• Drought in Wisconsin, October 1 to 31, 20092 eventsAlthough north-central Wisconsin continued to receive rainfall during the latter half of the month, a small part of Vilas County and Oneida County remained in severe drought (D2) throughout the month.
• Drought in Colorado, October 1 to 31, 200915 eventsAbnormally dry conditions persisted across much of southwestern Colorado, with extreme southwest portions of the state experiencing moderate drought conditions. The area of moderate drought expanded further north and eastward throughout the month.
• Drought in Utah, October 1 to 31, 20093 eventsAbnormally dry conditions persisted across most of southern Utah throughout the month, with moderate drought conditions were experienced across extreme southeastern portions of the state.
• Drought in California, October 1 to 31, 200911 eventsA large winter storm centered off the Oregon coast brought light precipitation on the 13th and 14th. Some areas in San Bernardino County received one to three inches of rain, while the rest of the region had one-quarter inch or less.
• Drought in Hawaii, October 1 to 31, 20099 eventsDry weather persisted over parts of Molokai, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii. Water restrictions remained in place.
• Wildfire in Arizona, October 2 to 8, 2009$2.5 million · 1 eventA prescribed burn jumped containment lines and became a wildfire southwest of Williams.
• Wildfire in California, October 3 to 10, 20098 injured · $750,000 · 1 eventThe Sheep Fire started along Sheep Creek Road near Lytle Creek around 1311 PST on October 3rd. The fire spread rapidly towards Wrightwood, scorching a total of 7,128 acres before being contained on October 10th.
• Excessive Heat in South Carolina, October 7, 20091 death · 1 eventTemperatures reached the 90 degree mark which were well above normal for this time of year. A recruit from Ft. Jackson died from heatstroke as a result.
• Heat in Florida, October 8 to 11, 20091 death · 1 eventStrong high pressure at the surface and aloft centered over Florida provided record warm temperatures from October 7th to October 14th across the area.
• Wildfire in Texas, October 20, 20091 eventThe Smith Ranch grass fire started about 1715 CST about fifteen miles east southeast of Romero in Hartley County. The grass fire was located on Farm to Market Road 767 west of Channing and was determined to have been caused by lightning.
• Drought in Texas, November 1 to 30, 200914 eventsOverall, drought conditions continued to gradually ease across most of South Texas during the month of November, as episodes of heavy rainfall and flooding were observed mainly northeast of Interstate 37 and in the latter half of the month.
• Drought in Wisconsin, November 1 to 30, 20097 eventsExtreme (D3) drought conditions prevailed across portions of northwest Wisconsin in early November, mainly across Sawyer and Washburn counties. This area was downgraded slightly to severe (D2) drought status by the middle and end of the month.
• Drought in Texas, November 1 to 30, 20094 eventsDrought conditions remained stable during most of the month from the Upper Rio Grande Valley eastward to the King Ranch.
• Drought in Wisconsin, November 1 to 10, 20092 eventsRainfall across north-central Wisconsin resulted in an improvement from severe drought (D2) to moderate drought (D1) conditions.
• Drought in Colorado, November 1 to 30, 200918 eventsThe drought conditions remained nearly unchanged through the month of November. Abnormally dry conditions persisted across most of southwest and west central Colorado, with moderate drought conditions present over extreme southwest Colorado.
• Drought in Utah, November 1 to 30, 20096 eventsAbnormally dry conditions across southeast Utah spread northward throughout the month of November, encompassing parts of northeast Utah by the end of the month. Moderate and severe drought conditions also spread northward throughout the month.
• Drought in California, November 1 to 30, 200911 eventsScattered showers brought light amounts of rain on the 6th and 12th. The first real rain of the season occurred on the 28th and 29th. Several mountain locations received over an inch of rain, and higher elevations received six to twelve inches of snow.
• Drought in Hawaii, November 1 to 30, 20099 eventsDry weather continued to plague parts of Molokai, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii. Water restrictions remained in effect.
• Wildfire in Texas, November 7, 20091 eventA controlled burn escaped and evolved into a large wildfire in northern Bailey County during the afternoon hours of the 7th. Farmers attempted to burn corn stubble in a field five miles southwest of Muleshoe.
• Wildfire in California, November 16 to 18, 20094 injured · $20,000 · 1 eventA brush fire was started along Highway 76 near Verdugo Canyon Road when a tractor crashed into a power pole around 1130 PST on November 16th. The fire burned about 145 acres before being contained on the evening of the 17th.
• Wildfire in Texas, November 21, 20092 injured · $20,000 · 2 eventsLarge grass fires developed over central Bailey and western Hockley Counties during the afternoon of the 21st.
• Drought in Texas, November 24 to 30, 20092 eventsDespite some welcome rains from a wave of energy along a cool front during the third week of November, the necessary heavier rainfall occured toward the coast, and rain free conditions through much of October and November allowed short term (agricultural) drought to deteriorate…
• Drought in Texas, December 1 to 31, 200914 eventsOverall, drought conditions continued to ease across most of South Texas during the month of December, as almost all of South Texas experienced above normal rainfall during the month. Strengthening El Nino conditions, in part, helped to produce the beneficial rainfall.
• Drought in Wisconsin, December 1 to 31, 20096 eventsSevere (D2) drought conditions continued across portions of northwest Wisconsin, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The drought covered most of Sawyer and Washburn counties, southern Ashland and Bayfield counties, and a corner of Burnett and Price counties.
• Drought in Texas, December 1 to 21, 20093 eventsWelcome rains on November 30th and December 1st, combined with increased groundwater retention as autumn moved into winter, helped stabilize drought conditions across Zapata, Jim Hogg, and Brooks County.
• Drought in Colorado, December 1 to 31, 200918 eventsAlthough a series of winter storms brought much needed precipitation to western Colorado and eastern Utah, replenishing the mountain snow pack and soil moisture, the drought conditions through the month remained relatively unchanged.
• Drought in Utah, December 1 to 31, 20096 eventsAlthough a series of winter storms brought much needed precipitation to western Colorado and eastern Utah, replenishing the mountain snow pack and soil moisture, the drought conditions through the month remained relatively unchanged.
• Drought in California, December 1 to 31, 200911 eventsDuring the month of December, most areas had between 150% and 250% of normal precipitation, except in the high deserts where they had about 50% of normal. The Weekly U.S.
• Drought in Hawaii, December 1 to 31, 20099 eventsDry weather persisted over parts of Molokai, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii. Water restrictions remained in effect.
• Wildfire in Texas, December 8, 20091 eventA wildfire started near Farm to Market Road 1151 about eight miles south southeast of Washburn around 1430 CST in northwest Armstrong County. The wildfire spread between County Roads 6 and 8 before being contained about 1600 CST.
• Drought in Texas, December 15 to 21, 20092 eventsSteady rainfall on December 1st, followed by lighter rains on the 4th and 8th, would bring up drought levels from Extreme (D3) in some areas to Severe (D2) in all areas by the 15th.
• Wildfire in Texas, December 21, 20091 eventThe wildfire started about 1105 CST off of County Road 5 and just north of Charlie Road in northwest Armstrong County or approximately two miles southeast of Washburn. The wildfire consumed an estimated three hundred acres.
• Drought in Texas, January 1 to 31, 20108 eventsOverall, drought conditions continued to ease across the remaining drought counties in South Texas during the month of January, as almost all of South Texas experienced above normal rainfall during the month.
• Drought in Wisconsin, January 1 to 31, 20106 eventsSevere (D2) drought conditions continued across parts of northwest Wisconsin, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
• Drought in Utah, January 1 to 31, 20107 eventsThe month of January showed some improvement in drought conditions over southeast Utah.
• Drought in Colorado, January 1 to 31, 201021 eventsThe month of January showed some improvement in drought conditions over southwest Colorado.
• Drought in Hawaii, January 1 to 31, 20108 eventsDry weather continued to plague portions of Molokai, Maui, and the Big Island of Hawaii. Water restrictions remained in effect.

Every billion-dollar disasterEvery storm of 2009Tornadoes in 2009

NOAA NCEI, U.S. Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters (2025), https://doi.org/10.25921/stkw-7w73, and the Storm Events Database for the episodes.