Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Midland/Odessa TX
- Areas
- Dawson, TX; Gaines, TX
- Places
- Lamesa, Seminole, Seagraves, Welch, Seagraves Airport, Gaines County Airport, Lamesa Municipal Airport, Los Ybanez, McKenzie Lake, Loop, Punkin Center, Gaines County Park
- In effect
- until 10:00 AM CDT, Oct 30, 2026
- Detection
- Radar and gauge indicated
What the National Weather Service says
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS Midland/Odessa TX, Flash Flood Warning, 9:02 AM CDT Oct 30, 2026 · official alert
“Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”
NWS Midland/Odessa TX, Flash Flood Warning, 9:02 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, 9:02 AM CDT Oct 30, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not drive into flooded roads. Turn around and find another route. The National Weather Service notes that 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. Never drive around barricades.
Move to higher ground if water is rising near you. Stay away from small creeks and streams, underpasses and low-lying areas.
If you can do so safely, report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement so they can 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 capture all past flooding.
FEMA disaster declarations for these counties include severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds and flooding in Gaines County in May 2015. Both counties were also covered by a February 2021 severe winter storms declaration.
Updates
- The National Weather Service updated the flash flood warning; it remains in effect until 10:00 AM CDT.
- NWS Midland/Odessa TX issued the flash flood warning until 10:00 AM 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
Get these alerts on your iPhone
Herebeat is an iPhone app that shows official alerts like these (National Weather Service warnings, earthquakes, wildfires, air quality and more) for the places you save, each with its source and issue time. Download Herebeat on the App Store.
Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Dawson and Gaines counties, Texas?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa issued a Flash Flood Warning at 7:02 AM CDT for Dawson and Gaines counties. It runs until 10:00 AM CDT on Friday, October 30, 2026.
- How much rain has fallen in the warned area?
- The National Weather Service says radar and automated rain gauges indicate between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen. Up to 1 inch more is possible in the warned area.
- Which places could see flash flooding?
- The warning names Lamesa, Seminole, Seagraves, Welch, Los Ybanez, Loop and Punkin Center, among others. Small creeks and streams, streets, highways, underpasses and low-lying areas could flood.
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.