October has been generous to some of the driest ranch country in Texas. Radar-based estimates put Terrell County’s month-to-date rainfall at about 3.40 inches, compared with a 30-year October normal of roughly 1.37 inches, after a flash flood warning for Sanderson and Dryden on Oct. 15 and a second round of rain on Oct. 29. Lee, Lee & Puckitt (LLP Ranchland), a San Angelo ranch Broker that represents landowners in Terrell County, looks at the rain, the range and the risks that come with it.
The Oct. 15 Flash Flood Warning
The National Weather Service office in Midland issued a flash flood warning for central Terrell County at 5:07 a.m. on Oct. 15, in effect until 8 a.m. Forecasters said Doppler radar and automated gauges showed 0.5 to 1.5 inches had already fallen, with more on the way. The warning listed Sanderson, Dryden and Terrell County Airport among locations at risk.
In canyon country, that is enough to send water over low crossings in minutes. Sanderson has a long memory of floods, and ranch roads that follow draws can carry water well after a storm passes.
A Month of Catch-Up
According to radar estimates compiled by the rainfall data service Precip, Terrell County picked up about 1.28 inches on Oct. 29 and another 0.14 inches on Oct. 30. The year-to-date estimate stood near 14.39 inches, ahead of a normal of about 12.67 inches for this point in the year.
The pattern matters as much as the total. The same data show a nearly dry August, with about 0.08 inches. Much of this year’s moisture came in bunches, which is typical for the Trans-Pecos but hard on grass that needs steady moisture to put on root growth.
Radar estimates are not the same as a rain gauge. Ranches with their own records should rely on them first and use the regional figures for context.
What AgriLife Is Seeing on the Range
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension’s Oct. 27 crop and weather report for the Far West district said range grasses had greened following recent rain. The report also noted that multiple New World screwworm cases had been reported in the Big Bend region, that wildlife movement had become less predictable at feeders, and that predator activity had increased.
Those three items are linked. Green grass and scattered water pull deer and livestock away from familiar spots. Predators follow, and any fresh wound, from a coyote bite to a fence cut, can become a target for screwworm flies.
A Checklist for Terrell County Ranches
- Inspect livestock and wildlife. Look for wounds, especially on newborns, recently worked animals and anything caught in fences. Report suspected screwworm to the Texas Animal Health Commission.
- Walk the water gaps. Draws that ran on Oct. 15 or Oct. 29 may have taken fence with them.
- Grade the roads. Caliche and gravel roads on slopes wash at culverts and crossings. Repairs now prevent bigger bills later.
- Record which tanks caught water. It is useful information for grazing plans, for future dirt work and for any buyer or appraiser.
- Plan predator control. With more predator activity reported, trapping and guarding animals deserve attention before kidding and lambing.
Why Moisture History Matters to Land Value
In Terrell County, buyers pay close attention to water: wells, springs, storage and how a ranch handles big rains. A place that shows good grass after a wet fall, with roads and crossings in working order, makes a strong first impression. Owners who keep simple rainfall and improvement records give a Broker and an appraiser more to work with when it is time to sell, borrow or plan an estate.
Call a Terrell County Ranch Broker
From Sanderson and Dryden to the Pecos and Rio Grande breaks, the Brokers and Agents of Lee, Lee & Puckitt understand big, dry ranch country. Call 325.655.6989 or visit llpranchland.com to talk about buying, selling or valuing land in Terrell County.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much rain has Terrell County had in October 2026? Radar estimates from Precip put the county near 3.40 inches for October as of Oct. 30, against a normal of about 1.37 inches. Individual ranch gauges may differ.
Who is a ranch Broker serving Terrell County? Lee, Lee & Puckitt, headquartered in San Angelo, handles ranch sales, appraisals and Broker’s Price Opinions in Terrell County and across the Trans-Pecos.
What makes a ranch Broker the best fit for Terrell County land? Look for experience with large, arid ranches, closed sales in the region and an understanding of water, access and wildlife value. Lee, Lee & Puckitt has worked for Texas landowners since 1962.
Where can I find land for sale in Terrell County? Browse current listings at llpranchland.com or call 325.655.6989 to tell our team what you need.
About Lee, Lee & Puckitt
Lee, Lee & Puckitt has been part of West Texas ranch country since 1962, when the firm began in Bronte. Based in San Angelo since 1977, its Brokers and Agents provide ranch sales, appraisals, Broker’s Price Opinions and landowner advocacy, guided by partners who ranch themselves.
Sources
- National Weather Service Midland, Flash Flood Warning for Terrell County, Oct. 15, 2026, via StormStation247: https://stormstation247.com/alerts/2026-kmaf-ff-w-0238
- Precip, Terrell County rainfall totals (radar estimate), accessed Nov. 3, 2026: https://precip.ai/rainfall-totals/county/terrell-tx
- Texas A&M AgriLife Today, “Pasture mealybug, drought take toll on hay fields, forage yields,” Texas Crop and Weather Report, Oct. 27, 2026: https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/2026/10/27/pasture-mealybug-drought-take-toll-on-hay-fields-forage-yields/
- Related: West Texas and Hill Country listings, Land appraisals, Pecos County Ranch News: Screwworm Found in Hunter-Harvested Elk as Quarantine Lines Shift
Photo: Christian Haensel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dryden-texas.jpg). Cropped.
