Much Needed Drink: Texas Rain and Weather

Much needed rain in central Texas 

Editor's Note (2026): This post was written during a particularly hot and dry Texas summer. Since then, I've become even more convinced that paying attention to the weather is one of the simplest preparedness habits anyone can develop.

Whether you're gardening, raising animals, storing food, or simply trying to reduce your utility bill, weather affects almost every part of daily life. A single afternoon of rain can make an enormous difference after weeks of dry conditions.

Today, we finally got some rain! We had a very small chance for rain, so when the downpour hit, we were pleasantly surprised. The last thing we need is another drought.

So far, we are hitting 20 straight days in a row with 90 degrees or higher. Although I'm looking forward to the summer (er, it feels like it's already here) I don't exactly enjoy extreme heat. But this is Texas for ya!

Here's an interesting website that I found. It lists emergencies that are happening worldwide on a daily basis - earthquakes, floods, epidemics, volcanoes, auto accidents, power failures - you name it. If you click on the icon on the world map, it will tell you what emergency is happening for the area you clicked. Also, some offer details - how many people in accident, how many homes without power, etc.

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/index.php?lang=eng

Pretty nifty website.

2026 Update: The emergency website I originally linked to has changed over the years. Today, I rely on a combination of the National Weather Service, local emergency management alerts, NOAA Weather Radio, and trusted weather apps to stay informed about severe weather and other emergencies.

Simple Ways to Stay Weather Aware

• Check the forecast each morning.
• Enable local emergency alerts on your phone.
• Keep a NOAA weather radio for power outages.
• Monitor drought conditions if you garden.
• Watch for heat advisories during summer.
• Prepare before storms arrive, not after.

Looking Back

Looking back, that afternoon rain felt like a gift after weeks of relentless Texas heat. Moments like that remind me how closely our daily lives still depend on the weather, whether we're gardening, homesteading, or simply trying to stay comfortable during another long Texas summer.

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