Flash Flood — Ector, Texas

2004-09-27 to 2004-09-28 · near West Odessa, Ector, Texas

Event narrative

A small linear convective complex developed over western Ector County during the early evening hours. The complex persisted and remained nearly stationary for almost two hours. Very intense rainfall fell over Monahans Draw near West Odessa.The first reports of flash flooding indicated that high water rendered Farm to Market Road 866, Texas Highway 302, and Interstate 20 impassable. Up to six feet of water was reported crossing low lying areas of Farm to Market Road 866 just north of the Interstate 20 junction. Several vehicles became stalled in high water flowing across the interstate, resulting in high water rescues of stranded motorists.By late evening the swollen Monahans Draw, usually a dry depression, inundated residential areas in West Odessa. The hardest hit areas were near Third and Damascus Streets. The most extensive damage occurred to several trailer parks in the Westcliff, Knox Village, and Manor subdivisions. Rescue crews from three fire departments worked well into the night to remove distressed residents from homes and vehicles that were threatened by high water. One fire engine stalled in the flood waters. Many families were displaced to emergency shelters in other portions of the city and in Odessa. More than forty homes suffered serious damage. Four trailer homes and two permanent homes were destroyed. Another fifteen single family homes experienced major damage from the flood waters.Thunderstorms dissipated over Ector County shortly before midnight CST. This brought a temporary reprieve from the excessive rainfall. Runoff, however, continued to present a threat of flash flooding through the nighttime hours. As a result local emergency management officials continued to report major flash flooding along Monahans Draw through the night. During the pre-dawn hours of Tuesday the 28th, another band of showers and thunderstorms moved north across Ector County. Brief heavy rainfall from this activity aggravated the flash flood situation. By 06:35 CST local officials were again at work to evacuate residents near the intersections of Tripp and Twenty-Third Streets and Tenth and Redondo Streets. Between two and three feet of water was reported rushing through those city streets and threatened numerous homes. At least three high water rescues also were conducted to bring stranded motorists to the safety of dry ground.Rainfall ended over Ector County by 09:00 CST. Significant runoff and associated flash flooding of low lying areas prevented access to much of the city through the early afternoon hours.

Wider weather episode

Scattered thunderstorms developed and produced locally very heavy rainfall over the western parts of the west Texas Permian Basin during the late afternoon and evening of the 27th. Many West Odessa residents were displaced from their homes during the late evening hours when flash flooding along Monahans Draw devastated parts of the city. No casualties were reported, but at least twenty families were left homeless.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5421846. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.