Flash Flood — Ector, Texas

2003-05-24 · near Odessa, Ector, Texas

Event narrative

A significant flash flood event which resulted in the death of a local teenage girl impacted the city of Odessa during the evening hours of the 24th. Numerous reports of flash flooding, including water in homes and stalled vehicles were received. Several swift water rescues were conducted by the Odessa Fire Department across the city. An 18 year old female was killed when she was swept away by raging flood waters while trying to evacuate her stalled pickup truck. Two passengers were successfully rescued from that particular vehicle. High water resulted in dangerous conditions for motorists throughout the city. A few of the most significant reports were received from the area around Ratliff Stadium (where a high school graduation was scheduled to occur) and along University Street.

Wider weather episode

An active round of severe thunderstorms, including a very serious flash flood situation, affected parts of West Texas on the 24th. The situation evolved as numerous thunderstorms developed along an outflow boundary which was roughly oriented along the Interstate 20 corridor in the Permian Basin. The boundary then stretched northwest into southeast New Mexico. Storms trained along the boundary and continuosly moved across parts of Andrews, Ector, and Midland Counties. The combination of these factors and urban effects resulted in a deadly flash flood event in the city of Odessa. Large hail also accompanied the strongest storms.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5353569. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.