Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Midland/Odessa TX
- Areas
- Dawson, TX; Gaines, TX
- Places
- Lamesa, Seminole, Seagraves, Seagraves Airport, Gaines County Airport, Welch, Lamesa Municipal Airport, Los Ybanez, McKenzie Lake, Loop, Gaines County Park, Punkin Center
- In effect
- until 1:15 PM CDT, Oct 30, 2026
- Detection
- Radar and gauge indicated
What the National Weather Service says
“Flash flooding is already occurring.”
NWS Midland/Odessa TX, Flash Flood Warning, 10:10 AM CDT Oct 30, 2026 · official alert
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS Midland/Odessa TX, Flash Flood Warning, 10:10 AM CDT Oct 30, 2026 · official alert
“Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.”
NWS Midland/Odessa TX, Flash Flood Warning, 10:10 AM CDT Oct 30, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not drive through flooded roads. The National Weather Service says to turn around, don't drown, because most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
Move to higher ground if water is rising near you. Never drive around barricades. Take extra care near small creeks and streams, underpasses, streets and other low-lying or poor-drainage areas.
If you can do so safely, report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement and ask them to pass it to the National Weather Service.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 10 claims in Dawson County between 1980 and 2021, and 10 claims in Gaines County between 1979 and 2015. These counts cover only insured properties, so they do not show all past flooding.
Gaines County had a FEMA disaster declaration in 2015 for severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding. Both counties were included in a 2021 declaration for severe winter storms.
Updates
- NWS Midland/Odessa TX issued the flash flood warning until 1:15 PM CDT.
History here
Dawson County: 10 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1980, most recent 2021.
Dawson County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4586 (2021): severe winter storms
- DR-1999 (2011): wildfires
- DR-1931 (2010): hurricane alex
- DR-1624 (2006): extreme wildfire threat
Gaines County: 10 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1979, most recent 2015.
Gaines County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4586 (2021): severe winter storms
- DR-4223 (2015): severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding
- DR-1624 (2006): extreme wildfire threat
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Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Lamesa or Seminole, Texas?
- Yes. The National Weather Service has a Flash Flood Warning for Dawson and Gaines counties until 1:15 PM CDT today. Lamesa and Seminole are among the places named as expecting flash flooding.
- How much rain has fallen in Dawson and Gaines counties?
- Radar and automated rain gauges indicated between 1.5 and 2 inches of rain had fallen as of 10:10 AM CDT. The National Weather Service says flash flooding is already occurring.
- What should I do if I come to a flooded road?
- Turn around and do not drive on it. The National Weather Service says most flood deaths occur in vehicles, and 1 foot of moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
Sources
- NWS Midland/Odessa TX: Flash Flood Warning, Oct 30, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.