We got some rain last night. But .34 is not enough to end the drought in this side of the country. Because of this extreme heat, residents in Texoma are asked to conserve energy also to prevent a power outage or mandatory rolling blackouts.
Hurricane Don was a disappointment., only hitting the coastal areas of Texas. There was a gust front, or an outflow boundary a storm-scale or mesoscale boundary separating thunderstorm-cooled air (outflow) from the surrounding air; similar in effect to a cold front, with passage marked by a wind shift and usually a drop in temperature and a related pressure jump. While this did cooled us off for a few hours as the rains came down in Southwest Oklahoma, it was only a temporary situation, because we still have daily heat advisories during extremely hot days and still in need of a lot of rain.
*Mandatory water restrictions for users of Wichita Falls water do not go into effect until the combined level reaches 50 percent of capacity. Under the Stage 1 drought watch guidelines, city parks reduce watering to twice a week and the city begins an information campaign to make residents aware of the situation and the possible restrictions at the next stage. The drought watch begins when the combined lake level falls to 60 percent. In Stage two, water rationing begins and watering with sprinklers by zones goes in effect.
Water isn’t the only thing residents are asked to conserve during this drought. Between the hours of 3 pm and 7 pm, everyone is asked to not use dishwashers, washers, driers, or high-energy electronic products like ovens or computers but to turn off all non-essential things or use them later in the day usually at night.. This is considered peak time, when energy usage is its highest, which places stress on the energy grid. Even though my lights in the kitchen and bathroom are efficient, I don’t use them unless I need them, at twilight or after dark, around 8:30 in the evening. My light in the bathroom isn’t used unless I shower. With the blinds open in the living area, there is enough light to see safely during the day. Even though there hasn’t been any need for the mandatory rolling blackouts, I did have a blip, the lights in my house blinked on and off for one or two seconds. It wasn’t enough to cause me to reset the timers on my clocks or VCR.
The good thing is, we have a chance of rain this weekend. 20% is better than not at all. Who knows, we may get more rain next time. With cooler temperatures, it might reduce energy usage on the power grid.