Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Midland/Odessa TX
- Areas
- Ector, TX; Midland, TX
- Places
- Midland, Odessa, Greenwood, Goldsmith, Midland International Air, Space Port, West Odessa, Warfield, Odessa Schlemeyer Field, Skywest Airport, Cotton Flat, Midland Airpark
- 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
“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
“Flash flooding is ongoing.”
NWS Midland/Odessa TX, Flash Flood Warning, 9:02 AM CDT Oct 30, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not drive on flooded roads. The National Weather Service says most flood deaths occur in vehicles. If you see water over a road, turn around and find another route.
Never drive around barricades. 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.
Use extra caution near small creeks and streams, underpasses, streets and other low-lying or poor-drainage areas, which the warning names as at risk.
If you can do so safely, report observed flooding to local emergency services or law enforcement and ask them to pass it on to the National Weather Service.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 187 claims in Ector County and 145 in Midland County since 1978. These counts cover only insured properties, so they likely understate how often flooding has occurred.
FEMA disaster declarations for both counties include the February 2021 severe winter storms and a January 2006 extreme wildfire threat. Midland County also had a July 2011 wildfire declaration. None of these were flood declarations.
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
Ector County: 187 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
Ector County: recent federal disaster declarations
Midland County: 145 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2025.
Midland County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4586 (2021): severe winter storms
- DR-1999 (2011): wildfires
- DR-1624 (2006): extreme wildfire threat
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Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Midland and Odessa, Texas?
- Yes. The National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa issued a Flash Flood Warning for Ector and Midland counties at 7:04 AM CDT. It runs until 10:00 AM CDT on October 30.
- How much rain has fallen in the warned area?
- Radar and automated rain gauges indicated between 1 and 1.5 inches of rain had fallen as of 7:04 AM CDT. Up to 1 more inch is possible.
- What areas could see flash flooding?
- The warning names Midland, Odessa, Greenwood, Goldsmith, West Odessa, Warfield, Cotton Flat, Penwell and Spraberry, along with the Midland and Odessa airports. Small creeks, streets, highways and underpasses are at risk.
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.