Drought Information Statement for Southeast TX and Southwest LA Valid February, 26, 2026 Issued By: WFO Lake Charles, LA Contact Information: This product will be updated March, 13, 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 Drought Intensity and Extent D3 (Extreme Drought): Portions Central and South Central Louisiana. D2 (Severe Drought): Most of Southeast Texas and Portions of Central Louisiana. D1 (Moderate Drought): Much of Central Louisana north of I-10 and St. Mary Parish D0: (Abnormally Dry): Much of Southwest Louisiana and extreme south central Louisiana. Recent Change in Drought Intensity 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. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: 1 to 2 category class changes have been noted across much of Southeast Texas and Large sections of Central Louisiana north of Interstate 10. Also a 1 to 2 category class increase is noted along the highway 90 corridor in South Central Louisiana. No areas of improvement were noted. Precipitation Rainfall over the past 30 days is running 25 to around 50 percent of normal across the entire area. For the past 90 days Link to Southern Regional Climate Center Temperature Temperatures have been above normal area wide across the region the past week. Normal to slightly above normal temperatures have been noted the previous 30 days. Summary of Impacts Links: See/submit Condition Monitoring Observer Reports (CMOR) and view the Drought Impacts Reporter Hydrologic Impacts Observed river flows are below normal to much below normal on area river basins, especially in Central Louisiana. Agricultural Impacts Field conditions as reported by the LSU Ag Centers are running slightly dry across Central Louisiana. Fire Hazard Impacts Increased wildfire risk has been noted when coupled with low humidity and elevated winds. Burn bans are currently in place for Tyler County Texas. Vernon, Rapides, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Allen, St. Landry, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, Vermilion, Iberia and St. Martin Parishes in Louisiana. 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 02 18 2026 Agricultural Impacts Soil moisture is below normal across the area with shallow soil moisture near normal. Fire Hazard Impacts Burn Bans are currently in effect for all parishes except Cameron, Evangeline, Lafayette and St. Mary Parishes. In Texas Tyler County has a burn ban. Wildfire conditions are expected to go above normal in March for Louisiana. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Rainfall is expected one tenth of 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. Links to the latest: Climate Prediction Center Monthly Drought Outlook Climate Prediction Center Seasonal Drought Outlook