Active warning — live snapshot as of 5:47 PM PDT (7:47 PM CDT), September 19, 2026. The National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa, Texas has issued a Flash Flood Warning for southeastern Andrews County in western Texas, in effect until 9:45 PM CDT. Doppler radar indicates thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area, with flash flooding ongoing or expected to begin shortly. This is the exact pattern that creates the interior flooding jobs restoration teams in West Texas see most — water entering low points fast, with no time to prepare. Conditions change fast — always verify with the National Weather Service for your specific county or ZIP code.
Flash Flood Warning — Southeastern Andrews County, TX
The National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa TX issued this Flash Flood Warning at 7:43 PM CDT on September 19, 2026. It runs until 9:45 PM CDT.
The hazard, in the alert’s own wording: flash flooding caused by thunderstorms. The source is radar indicated. At 7:43 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain across the warned area — between 1 and 2 inches of rain have already fallen, with an expected rainfall rate of 2 to 3 inches in 1 hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.
Locations in the warning path, per the alert: mainly rural areas of southeastern Andrews County. The warning covers southeastern Andrews County in western Texas.
Expected impacts, per the alert: flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses, as well as other poor-drainage and low-lying areas.
NWS impact data for this alert: severity Severe, certainty Likely, urgency Immediate. The alert was issued under AWIPS identifier FFWMAF (WMO header WGUS54 KMAF). You can read the full alert at api.weather.gov.
Stay safe tonight
Turn around, don’t drown. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles — never drive through flooded roadways, no matter how shallow the water looks. Six inches of moving water can knock you down; a foot can carry a car away.
If water enters the home: stay out of standing water where electricity may be present, and avoid the basement until the water recedes and power is confirmed off. Photograph everything before you move or clean anything — documentation matters for insurance. Then call a local restoration contractor. Water left sitting starts a second wave of damage within a day.
What this means for restoration teams
West Texas oilfield and ranch country doesn’t get flash flood warnings often — when it does, the damage profile is predictable and fast-moving. Translate this warning into the jobs it produces:
- Interior water intrusion — at 2 to 3 inches of rain per hour over ground that sheds water fast, low-lying rural properties, mobile homes, and structures near caliche roads take water through doors, slab edges, and window wells.
- Saturated drywall and insulation — even six inches of intrusion wicks upward. Pull base, inspect, moisture-map before you promise anything.
- Mold risk within 24–48 hours — Texas heat means microbial growth starts fast. The drying clock starts the moment the water stops.
- Sewage backup in low-lying areas — rural septic systems and overloaded municipal lines in small communities are first to back up when drainage saturates.
- Road and underpass damage — Andrews County’s farm-to-market roads and low-water crossings collect debris and standing water that lingers after the warning expires.
The play: stage equipment now, pre-position drying assets, and keep an on-call rotation through the morning. Capture address, water source, and affected areas on the very first call — the callers who ring tonight are the ones whose floors are wet already. Field discipline applies: photo-document before mitigation, moisture-map every affected room, and keep the homeowner’s payment responsibility clear in writing before work starts.
FEMA & federal assistance
If flooding damages homes or businesses in Andrews County tonight, the FEMA Helpline is 1-800-621-3362 (7 a.m.–10 p.m. local, 7 days a week). You can also start an application at DisasterAssistance.gov or through the FEMA app, and find recovery centers at fema.gov/drc. Basic eligibility: citizenship or qualified status, identity verification, proof of occupancy or ownership, and unmet needs not covered by insurance. Apply as soon as it’s safe.
Looking ahead
This warning expires at 9:45 PM CDT tonight. Until then, flash flooding is ongoing or imminent across southeastern Andrews County. Overnight, watch for additional rounds of thunderstorms training over the same area — that’s the pattern that turns a two-hour warning into a multi-day damage event. Rivers and creeks may crest after the rain stops, so low-lying areas stay risky even once the warning is gone.
For restoration contractors: water-intrusion calls typically start within hours of water receding and keep coming for days as people discover damage — soggy drywall that went unnoticed tonight becomes a mold call tomorrow. Keep crews available through the weekend.
Sources & how to verify
- NWS alert: Flash Flood Warning — Southeastern Andrews County, TX (api.weather.gov, read September 19, 2026)
- Issuing office: NWS Midland/Odessa, TX
To verify for your own county or ZIP code: go to weather.gov and enter your location, or check the NWS Midland/Odessa page directly.
This post is for informational purposes and is not an official weather warning. Always follow instructions from local authorities and the National Weather Service.
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