I lived most of my early years in Louisiana and when I moved to Oklahoma I was quickly taken aback by the weather.  The wind seemed to blow constantly and when we had a storm, there was often mayhem involved.  Still, we only averaged half the yearly rainfall that was normal for Louisiana.

Two years ago the state was in a persistent drought and I wrote about it many times in a series of articles titled Oklahoma Burning.  Now the pendulum has swung.  Last year, Oklahoma had more rainfall then it has ever had.

As I write this article I am glancing out the window at my backyard.  Rain is falling, and not a gentle rain.  Yesterday we were only two inches behind last year’s record rainfall.  Today, we may surpass the record.

I took some pictures in the front yard of water pouring down the street in rivulets.  The ditches were full, water white capping and looking for all the world like a wild river.  My bare feet sank into earth already soft from yesterday’s rain.

Last year’s rainfall practically shut down oil and gas exploration in Oklahoma.  Heavy equipment can’t maneuver in soggy wheat fields and there was often more rain before the ground had time to fully dry.

Glancing out the window again I just shake my head and sigh.  The gas wells I need to complete in Noble County may have to wait until August.

http://www.ericwilder.com