Texas No Longer In 'Exceptional Drought'

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DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - Recent rains have helped Texas emerge from the worst of a years-long drought.

The U.S. Drought Monitor on Thursday indicated that, for the first time since mid-2012, Texas no longer falls within its 'exceptional drought' category. That is the most dire of the five drought designations.

The drought has ravaged parts of Texas since 2011. Sections of the state were still listed Thursday as 'abnormally dry' or in moderate, severe or extreme drought.

The DFW area has seen close to 20 inches of rain since January. During the same time frame last year, North Texas had only received 5.13 inches of rain. Meanwhile, Corsicana was doused with 11 inches of rain just last weekend. Folks down in the Houston area received more than 10 inches of rain this week this week.

"North Texas, compared to other parts of the state, we are still a little bit drier," Laura Miller with Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Tarrant County stated on Thursday. "That's not too much of a concern for us. I mean, it's possible, looking at the extended forecast, that we'll come out of that by next week even. We are in a good situation."

The drought update could have an impact on local water restrictions. Most cities made the water rules permanent after the drought continued to worsen. Residents should check with the city to see if any current restrictions are now being lifted.

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