Tropical Storm Don Does Little to Relieve Texas Drought

Tropical Storm Don did little to ease the severe drought conditions in south Texas.

According to the National Weather Service, the storm dropped less than one inch of rain before what was left of it moved onto northern Mexico. Its strength eased significantly as it approached the south Texas coast Friday night. As of 10 p.m. Friday, the storm neared Baffin Bay with winds of about 35 miles per hour.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami lifted its storm warning by Friday.

Rains are badly needed across Texas. The drought in much of Texas has had a devastating effect -- many ranchers have been forced to sell off their cattle and other livestock because the lack of rain for months has left their pastures arid and barren.

However, the light rain that Don bequeathed came as moderate relief for cotton farmers who are in the midst of their seasonal harvest.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said this was the third worst drought in Texas’ recorded history.