Drought Information Statement for Southeast TX and Southwest LA
Valid February, 19, 2026
Issued By: WFO Lake Charles, LA
Contact Information: 
This product will be updated March, 5, 2026 or sooner if drought conditions change significantly.  
Please see all currently available products at https://drought.gov/drought-information-statements.
Please visit https://www.weather.gov/LCH/DroughtInformationStatement for previous statements. 
Please visit https://www.drought.gov/drought-status-updates/ for regional drought status updates.
DROUGHT CONDITIONS OVER MOST OF THE AREA CONTINUE TO WORSEN

1

U.S. Drought Monitor
Link to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor


Drought Intensity and Extent
D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions Central Louisiana.
D2 (Severe Drought): Most of Southeast Texas and Portions of Central Louisiana.
D1 (Moderate Drought): Much of Central Louisana
D0: (Abnormally Dry): Much of Southwest Louisiana and extreme south central Louisiana.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Link to the latest 1-week change map
One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: For many areas in Central Louisiana and extreme south central Louisiana.
 
No Change: over most of the area. 

Drought Improved: slightly over portions of Jefferson County.

Recent Change in Drought Intensity
Link to the latest 4-week change map
Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. 
Drought Worsened: 1 to 2 category class changes have been noted across much of  Southeast Texas and a small portion of Central Louisiana. 
 
Drought Improved: 1 to 2 category improvement has occurred across much of Southwestern and Southcentral Louisiana due to recent rainfall events.

For the past 30 days

Precipitation
With the exception of Vermilion and extreme eastern portions of Cameron Parishes precipitation continues to below normal over the past 90 days.


For the past 90 days

Temperature
Temperatures have been much above normal the past few days with normal to slightly below normal the previous 30 days.


Hydrologic Impacts 
Observed river flows are below normal to much below normal on area river basins, especially in Central Louisiana.

Agricultural Impacts
No known impacts at this time

Fire Hazard Impacts
Increased wildfire risk has been noted when coupled with low humidity and elevated winds.
Burn bans are currently in place for Rapides and St. Landry Parishes.

Other Impacts
There are no known impacts at this time.

Mitigation Actions
Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information.


Below to much below normal flows are observed on most river basins especially in Central Louisiana.

Hydrologic Conditions and Impacts
Image Caption: USGS 7 day average streamflow HUC map valid 01 14 2026

Agricultural Impacts
Soil moisture is below normal across the
 area  with shallow soil moisture slightly 
above  normal in South Central Louisiana.

Fire Hazard Impacts
Burn Bans are currently in effect for Rapides and St. Landry Parishes.
Wildfire conditions are expected to go above normal in March for Louisiana.


Seven Day Precipitation Forecast
Rainfall is expected one half an inch or less over the next 7 days. 


Drought Outlook
The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage
Drought conditions are expected to persist across East Texas and Central Louisiana into spring.