Drought

Bruce Clements, Wilco’s Director of the Office of Emergency Management, explains how the updated Hazard Mitigation plan can get grants to the county to improve infrastructure. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

Bruce Clements, Wilco’s Director of the Office of Emergency Management, explains how the updated Hazard Mitigation plan can get grants to the county to improve infrastructure. Photo by Nalani Nuylan.

County debuts refashioned mitigation plan

Nalani Nuylan
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
The Williamson County Commissioners Court approved a revamped Hazard Mitigation Plan on April 29. Emergency Management Director Bruce Clements said this plan — updated every 10 years — includes a detailed risk assessment, an inventory of infrastructure and mitigation strategies.
Both livestock and crops have seen the impacts of the over 40 days of triple digit weather Central Texas experienced this summer. (Sun Archive)

Both livestock and crops have seen the impacts of the over 40 days of triple digit weather Central Texas experienced this summer. (Sun Archive)

Drought affects Wilco farmers, ranchers

Kaitlyn Wilkes
Monday, October 23, 2023
Despite the rapid growth of technological businesses in Williamson County, agriculture remains a top industry, providing jobs and food for both those in and outside of the county. According to the Farm Service Agency there are 291,000 acres of cropland in Williamson County.
Map of the most recent drought conditions in Texas, which has reached the “exceptional” level in Williamson County — the worst possible. Courtesy of U.S. Drought Monitor.

Map of the most recent drought conditions in Texas, which has reached the “exceptional” level in Williamson County — the worst possible. Courtesy of U.S. Drought Monitor.

County bakes, literally, in worst possible drought conditions

Nalani Nuylan
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
With the end of summer approaching, Williamson County is experiencing a record drought. The worst drought previously was in August 2011, which lasted five months. The county returned to Moderate Drought in May 2012.
A mostly-dry creek bed, a water source for cattle, is seen along Farm to Market Road 971 just east of Granger on Monday evening, August 14. The area today experienced its 38th consecutive day of temperatures over 100 degrees, with no measurable rain during that period, taking a toll on livestock, crops and plants. Photo by Andy Sharp

A mostly-dry creek bed, a water source for cattle, is seen along Farm to Market Road 971 just east of Granger on Monday evening, August 14. The area today experienced its 38th consecutive day of temperatures over 100 degrees, with no measurable rain during that period, taking a toll on livestock, crops and plants. Photo by Andy Sharp

Cows search for water near Granger

Andy Sharp
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
A mostly-dry creek bed, a water source for cattle, is seen along Farm to Market Road 971 just east of Granger on Monday evening, August 14.
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