Winter drought creeps across Texas, worrying farmers

The beginning of 2013 is a nervous moment for farmers, ranchers, water suppliers and others whose fortunes are hitched to rainfall.

A winter drought has crept into Central Texas, as less than an inch has fallen over the Waco area in the past two months.

Now winter crops are starting to wither, stock tanks are turning to mud and lake levels are dropping. Most of McLennan County is under “extreme drought,” according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and the northern part of McLennan County and Bosque County are under the direst category, exceptional drought.