Alert archive / Texas / Flash Flood Warnings in 2026

Flash Flood Warning 24, NWS Midland/Odessa, TX

May 20, 2026Brewster County, Pecos County, Texas

NWS Midland/Odessa, TX issued this flash flood warning at May 20, 2026, 4:11 PM CDT for Brewster County, Pecos County, Texas. It was in force for 3 hr. 1 report came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
May 20, 2026, 4:11 PM CDT (21:11 UTC)
Expired
May 20, 2026, 7:15 PM CDT
In force
3 hr
Issued by
NWS Midland/Odessa, TX
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

Counties Brewster County, TX, Pecos County, TX

The radar

The Midland/Odessa radar (KMAF), 199 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 21:12 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
May 20, 4:58 PM CDTFLASH FLOOD10 Sse Belding, TXEmergency management reported flash flooding along US 385 16 miles south of Fort Stockton. Low-water crossings were reported to have nearly a foot of standing water in some spots.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

Did it verify

Verified. The Iowa Environmental Mesonet's Cow matched one storm report to this flash flood warning; the first came 47 minutes after it went out.

Cow counts a report within 15 km of the polygon while the warning was in force: a tornado for a tornado warning; hail of 1 inch or more, a gust of 58 mph or more or wind damage for a severe thunderstorm warning; a flash flood report for a flash flood warning.

The nearest sounding before it

Del Rio, TX (KDRT), launched 12:00Z, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 258 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Del Rio, TX at 12:00Z on 2026-05-20Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 52 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°0°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Del Rio, TX at 12:00Z on 2026-05-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -56 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
52 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
-811 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
843 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
24 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-56 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
39 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.3

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

574 
WGUS54 KMAF 202111
FFWMAF
TXC043-371-210015-
/O.NEW.KMAF.FF.W.0024.260520T2111Z-260521T0015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
411 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

The National Weather Service in Midland/Odessa has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  Northwestern Brewster County in southwestern Texas...
  West Central Pecos County in southwestern Texas...

* Until 715 PM CDT.

* At 411 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated thunderstorms producing
  heavy rain across the warned area. Between 0.5 and 1.5 inches of
  rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts up to 1.5 inches are
  possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected
  to begin shortly.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

  SOURCE...Radar indicated.

  IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
           highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
           drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Alpine and Sierra Madera.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3040 10306 2990 10374 3029 10377 3079 10307
      3062 10275

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

13
3 follow-up statements
292 
WGUS74 KMAF 202203
FFSMAF

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
503 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXC043-371-210015-
/O.CON.KMAF.FF.W.0024.000000T0000Z-260521T0015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Brewster TX-Pecos TX-
503 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT THIS
EVENING FOR NORTHWESTERN BREWSTER AND WEST CENTRAL PECOS COUNTIES...

At 503 PM CDT, emergency management reported thunderstorms producing
heavy rain sixteen miles south of Fort Stockton on US 385. Between
0.5 and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Additional rainfall amounts
up to 1 inch are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is
already occurring.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Alpine and Sierra Madera.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3040 10306 2990 10374 3029 10377 3079 10307
      3062 10275

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED

$$

13
543 
WGUS74 KMAF 202243
FFSMAF

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
543 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXC043-371-210015-
/O.CON.KMAF.FF.W.0024.000000T0000Z-260521T0015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Brewster TX-Pecos TX-
543 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 715 PM CDT THIS
EVENING FOR NORTHWESTERN BREWSTER AND WEST CENTRAL PECOS COUNTIES...

At 543 PM CDT, emergency management reported thunderstorms producing
heavy rain sixteen miles south of Fort Stockton on US 385. Between 1
and 1.5 inches of rain have fallen. Flooding impacts will continue,
but little to no additional rainfall is expected. Flash flooding is
already occurring.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by thunderstorms.

SOURCE...Emergency management reported.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,
         highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor
         drainage and low-lying areas.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Alpine and Sierra Madera.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.

Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads.

&&

LAT...LON 3040 10306 2990 10374 3029 10377 3079 10307
      3062 10275

FLASH FLOOD...OBSERVED

$$

13
211 
WGUS74 KMAF 210006
FFSMAF

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
706 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXC043-371-210016-
/O.EXP.KMAF.FF.W.0024.000000T0000Z-260521T0015Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Brewster TX-Pecos TX-
706 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 715 PM CDT THIS EVENING FOR
NORTHWESTERN BREWSTER AND WEST CENTRAL PECOS COUNTIES...

The heavy rain has ended. Flooding is no longer expected to pose a
threat. Please continue to heed remaining road closures.

&&

LAT...LON 3040 10306 2990 10374 3029 10377 3079 10307
      3062 10275

$$

13

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this flash flood warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Midland/Odessa, TX wrote its last area forecast discussion before this flash flood warning went out at May 20, 2:47 PM CDT, 1 hour 24 minutes earlier. Its key messages:

  • Updated at 247 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026
  • Showers and storms are expected through this evening. Any strong to severe storms will be capable of producing large hail and damaging winds. We will also monitor for flash flooding.
  • Shower and storm chances continue through this weekend as additional disturbances move overhead.
Area forecast discussion, May 20, 2:47 PM CDT, 1 hour 24 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
247 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...New SHORT TERM, LONG TERM, AVIATION...

.KEY MESSAGES...
Updated at 247 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

- Showers and storms are expected through this evening. Any
  strong to severe storms will be capable of producing large hail
  and damaging winds. We will also monitor for flash flooding.

- Shower and storm chances continue through this weekend as
  additional disturbances move overhead.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This afternoon through Thursday night)
Issued at 247 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

An active weather pattern persists through this evening as an upper
level shortwave embedded within a larger trough over the western US
progresses northeast over our area. Meanwhile, yesterday's frontal
boundary has been relatively stagnant within our southern counties.
This looks to eventually lift northward as a warm front early
Thursday morning. Until then, lift associated with the front and the
shortwave combine with sufficient shear and instability to support
strong to severe storms through this evening. The strongest storms
will pose a large hail, flash flooding, and damaging wind threat,
although an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out. The area to
monitor for severe storm development remains the Permian Basin, and
the Upper and Lower Trans Pecos regions. Thus far, scattered storm
activity is ongoing within the eastern Permian Basin, with at
least pea to half inch sized hail having been reported at KMAF
around midday. As per short-range model guidance, this current
cluster of storms shall continue an east-northeast track through
this afternoon. Another cluster of storms is beginning to take
shape within our western counties and is expected to sweep
eastward through this evening before exiting our region around
midnight. This being the case, stay weather aware through the
remainder of the day!

Tonight, showers/storms track eastward and temperatures fall into
the 50s to low 60s. Another, weak shortwave impulse swings overhead
Thursday. The dryline is progged to set up just west of the TX/NM
border, near the western reaches of our region, by Thursday
afternoon. Given this set up, additional shower/storm development
will be possible Thursday afternoon. However, coverage looks
generally more isolated compared to today. Rain chances Thursday
afternoon and evening range from 10-40%, with the best odds over
the Permian Basin and the Lower Trans Pecos. Again, any severe
storms that develop will be capable of producing large hail and
damaging winds. The threat for flash flooding also increases
Thursday due to occasionally heavy rainfall over already saturated
soils from previous storms. Rain chances decrease shortly after
midnight Thursday night. Temperatures are forecast to warm into
the upper 70s in the eastern Permian Basin Thursday afternoon, and
80s almost everywhere else. Similar to the previous night, lows
Thursday fall into the 50s and 60s.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Friday through Tuesday)
Issued at 247 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

Upper level troughing persists over the western CONUS through much
of the weekend, accompanied by shortwave impulses embedded within
the flow. Through the weekend, isolated to scattered shower/storm
activity will be possible each afternoon. Placement will depend on
the collocation of the dryline and upper level disturbances. Early
next week and into the middle of the week, an upper trough drops
into Texas and becomes a mid-level cutoff low, allowing low rain
chances to stay in the forecast each afternoon. Temperatures through
the extended period look to top out in the upper 80s to low 90s
during the afternoons, then cool into the 50s and 60s during the
overnight hours. The hottest conditions are expected near and along
the Rio Grande, as highs reach near to above the triple digit mark
most afternoons.

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 247 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

A cluster of storms is currently moving east across the eastern
Permian Basin, with another round of storms beginning to take
shape over our westernmost counties. Scattered storms are expected
to continue through this evening, before rain chances taper down
overnight. Some of these may be severe, resulting in strong,
erratic winds and periods of reduced visibility and at least MVFR
ceilings.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Big Spring               58  78  59  91 /  50  30  20  10
Carlsbad                 58  88  59  93 /  10  10   0   0
Dryden                   63  84  63  90 /  50  30  30  20
Fort Stockton            60  85  62  92 /  40  20  10  10
Guadalupe Pass           57  80  58  82 /  30  10   0   0
Hobbs                    54  81  55  91 /  30  20  10   0
Marfa                    50  81  50  84 /  30  30  10   0
Midland Intl Airport     59  80  60  91 /  40  30  10  10
Odessa                   59  81  61  91 /  40  20  10   0
Wink                     59  85  59  92 /  30  20  20  10

&&

.MAF WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
TX...None.
NM...None.

&&

SHORT TERM...95
LONG TERM....95
AVIATION...95

In the hours before

Special weather statement, May 20, 12:14 PM CDT, 3 hours 57 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1214 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXZ068-075-201745-
Pecos TX-Crane TX-
1214 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL PECOS...
SOUTHEASTERN WARD AND NORTHWESTERN CRANE COUNTIES THROUGH 1245 PM
CDT...

At 1214 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles east of Grandfalls, or 18 miles west of Crane, moving northeast
at 30 mph.

HAZARD...Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph and nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is
         possible.

Locations impacted include...
Imperial.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3125 10261 3130 10277 3156 10269 3148 10241
TIME...MOT...LOC 1714Z 211DEG 25KT 3135 10266

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...55 MPH

KLG
Special weather statement, May 20, 12:34 PM CDT, 3 hours 37 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
1234 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXZ068-075-201800-
Pecos TX-Crane TX-
1234 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTH CENTRAL PECOS AND CENTRAL
CRANE COUNTIES THROUGH 100 PM CDT...

At 1234 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 15
miles southeast of Grandfalls, or 19 miles southwest of Crane, moving
northeast at 40 mph.

HAZARD...Nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Crane, Imperial, Cordona Lake, and Crane County Airport.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 3103 10259 3115 10284 3159 10261 3145 10232
      3144 10232
TIME...MOT...LOC 1734Z 210DEG 36KT 3123 10263

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

KLG
Special weather statement, May 20, 1:26 PM CDT, 2 hours 45 minutes before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
126 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXZ069-070-201900-
Reagan TX-Upton TX-
126 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT NORTHWESTERN REAGAN AND EAST
CENTRAL UPTON COUNTIES THROUGH 200 PM CDT...

At 126 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 17
miles northeast of Rankin, moving northeast at 15 mph.

HAZARD...Nickel size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Stiles.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3126 10165 3136 10186 3165 10177 3165 10136
TIME...MOT...LOC 1826Z 221DEG 15KT 3140 10173

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.88 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

KLG
Special weather statement, May 20, 2:11 PM CDT, 2 hours before
Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
211 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

TXZ047-048-052-201945-
Scurry TX-Howard TX-Borden TX-
211 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

...A STRONG THUNDERSTORM WILL IMPACT SOUTHWESTERN SCURRY...
NORTHWESTERN MITCHELL...EASTERN BORDEN AND NORTHEASTERN HOWARD
COUNTIES THROUGH 245 PM CDT...

At 211 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Luther, or 15 miles east of Ackerly, moving northeast at 45 mph.

HAZARD...Penny size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

Locations impacted include...
Gail, Luther, J B Thomas Reservoir, Vincent, Vealmoor, and Knapp.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to
localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm.
Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe
shelter inside a building or vehicle.

&&

LAT...LON 3253 10116 3253 10117 3251 10117 3233 10139
      3253 10164 3288 10135 3266 10100
TIME...MOT...LOC 1911Z 217DEG 39KT 3252 10145

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

KLG
Local storm report, May 20, 3:46 PM CDT, 25 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
346 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1230 PM     Flood            Andrews                 32.32N 102.55W
05/20/2026                   Andrews            TX   Broadcast Media

            Broadcast media relayed a report of standing
            water at the intersection of U.S. Highway
            385 and Avenue E. Flooding continued through
            around 115 PM per Andrews County Fire
            Marshal.

&&

21
Local storm report, May 20, 3:49 PM CDT, 22 minutes before
Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Midland/Odessa TX
349 PM CDT Wed May 20 2026

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0145 PM     Flash Flood      1 NNE Lamesa            32.75N 101.95W
05/20/2026                   Dawson             TX   NWS Employee

            NWS employee reported water flowing over the
            intersection of U.S. Highway 87 and North
            17th Street.

&&

21

The office that day

Everything else NWS Midland/Odessa, TX issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
May 20, 11:30 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFEctor30 min
May 20, 11:36 AM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFCrane, Ector24 min
May 20, 11:42 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFGaines33 min
May 20, 11:50 AM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFAndrews25 min
May 20, 12:00 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFMidland30 min
May 20, 12:09 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFUpton36 min
May 20, 12:14 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFCrane31 min
May 20, 12:34 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFCrane26 min
May 20, 12:41 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMAFAndrews, Ector3 hr
May 20, 1:15 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMAFAndrews, Dawson, Gaines, Martin3 hr
May 20, 1:26 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFReagan34 min
May 20, 2:11 PM CDTSpecial Weather StatementMAFBorden34 min
May 20, 2:39 PM CDTFlash Flood WarningMAFGlasscock, Reagan3 hr
May 20, 3:08 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Jeff Davis, Presidio37 min
May 20, 3:23 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster20 min
May 20, 3:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Jeff Davis, Pecos33 min
May 20, 4:13 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Pecos32 min
May 20, 4:34 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster26 min
May 20, 4:42 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Pecos33 min
May 20, 4:44 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFPecos31 min
May 20, 4:48 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFPecos27 min
May 20, 5:12 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Pecos, Terrell48 min
May 20, 5:41 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Pecos18 min
May 20, 5:57 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Pecos, Terrell29 min
May 20, 6:25 PM CDTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMAFBrewster, Pecos, Terrell65 min

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Texas, 2026Every flash flood warning in 2026

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.