Last Thursday's pounding rain pushed October's overall rainfall for the month to 17.37 inches, according to Dr. Paul Risk, Stephen F. Austin State University professor emeritus of forestry and weather data recorder.

That reported total was higher than any month in decades, according to Risk's data.

"I only have precipitation data back to 1961, but the 17.37 inches we received in October is the highest (for one month) in that period of time," Risk said. "According to data I've accessed on the Web, this amount is likely a new record. In 1997, we had 12.52 inches (in a month), but nothing else even close."

The amount from this October is over four times greater than the month's average of 4.09 inches.

The rainfall from the storm on Oct. 27 alone was higher than the month's average, topping out at 4.97 inches in just that day.

October's rainfall also raised the level of Lake Nacogdoches, which had been more than three feet below full pool. Just last week, the lake level went from 276.5 feet on Oct. 26 to 279.5 feet on Oct. 31 before the level began falling. Normal full pool is 279 feet.

Risk also said that this October was warmer than usual, some days hitting 88 degrees.