Drought Information Statement for Southeast TX and Southwest LA Valid October 15, 2026 Issued By: WFO Lake Charles, LA Contact Information: This product will be updated October 22, 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. Most of the region remains in a moderate (D1) or severe (D2) drought Little to no additional rainfall is expected over the next seven days The combination of ongoing drought, dry air and strong winds will increase the wildfire risk Friday and Saturday 1 U.S. Drought Monitor Drought Intensity and Extent D4 (Exceptional Drought): None D3 (Extreme Drought): None D2 (Severe Drought): Cameron, Calcasieu, Vernon, Vermilion, Jeff Davis, Acadia, Allen, Evangeline, Rapides, Avoyelles, and Lafayette parishes in southwest, south central and central Louisiana. D1 (Moderate Drought): Jefferson, Orange, Tyler, Jasper and Newton counties in Southeast Texas as well as St Landry and Iberia parishes in South Central Louisiana. D0: (Abnormally Dry):Upper St Martin, St Mary parishes in south central Louisiana Recent Change in Drought Intensity One Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Portions of Tyler, Hardin, Jasper, Newton, Jefferson and Orange counties in southeast Texas and Cameron, Beauregard, Vernon, Lafayette, Acadia, St Martin and St Mary parishes in Southwest and south central Louisiana. No Change: Calcasieu, Jeff Davis, Vermilion, Rapides, Avoyelles, Allen, Evangeline and St Landry parishes in southwest and south central Louisiana. Recent Change in Drought Intensity Link to the latest 4-week change map Four Week Drought Monitor Class Change. Drought Worsened: Tyler, Hardin, Jefferson, Jasper, Newton, Orange counties in southeast Texas as well as Cameron, Calcasieu, Beauregard, Vernon, Rapides, Avoyelles, Allen, Evangeline, Vermilion, Acadia, Lafayette, St Martin and St Mary parishes in southwest and south central Louisiana. No Change: Jeff Davis and St Landry parishes in southwest Louisiana. Precipitation Little rain occurred over the last week with most of the region seeing increases in rainfall deficit year to date. For the past 7 days Summary of Impacts Hydrologic Impacts A majority of the stream flows are below normal across the area. Agricultural Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Fire Hazard Impacts There are burn bans in effect for Vernon, Rapides and Beauregard Parishes, as well as Newton County. Other Impacts There are no known impacts at this time. Mitigation Actions Please refer to your municipality and/or water provider for mitigation information. Agricultural Impacts No direct impacts have been reported across the region over the last week Fire Hazard Impacts The combination of ongoing drought across the region and forecast low humidity and strong, gusty winds will produce an elevated wildfire potential this weekend. Seven Day Precipitation Forecast Forecast rainfall totals across the region over the next seven days are minimal with the only low chance of rain coming Friday along and ahead of a cold front. Long-Range Outlooks The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage The long range outlook supports a higher probability of above normal rainfall through the end of October. Drought Outlook The latest monthly and seasonal outlooks can be found on the CPC homepage Drought conditions are forecast to improve or end across a large majority of the region by the end of the year as the winter effects of the El Nino pattern become more pronounced.