safety
FIRST ALERT: Heavy rain, flash flooding threat to affect parts of West Texas through Thursday
By Tom Tefertiller at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com)
· July 13, 2026
· 1 min read
MIDLAND-ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - The threat of heavy rain and flash flooding will affect parts of West Texas through Thursday evening. An upper-level disturbance will combine with tropical moisture from the Gulf of America to produce areas of heavy rain through the rest of the week.
Be sure to be a...
Key takeaway Be sure to be alert to rapidly changing weather conditions and have the FIRST ALERT 7 Weather app ready to go on your phone via Google Play or App Store.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The threat of heavy rain and flash flooding in West Texas, particularly in the Midland-Odessa area, has significant implications for local residents and commuters. With the Permian Basin's low-lying areas and dry riverbeds prone to sudden and severe flooding, the risk of flash flooding is a major concern. Governor Abbott's activation of state emergency response resources, including rescue boats and Blackhawk helicopters, indicates the potential severity of the situation. The deployment of the Texas National Guard and DPS as needed will provide critical support to local emergency responders. As the weather situation unfolds, residents should remain vigilant and stay informed through reliable sources, such as the FIRST ALERT 7 Weather app, to ensure their safety and the safety of those around them. The city's infrastructure and emergency response plans will be put to the test, and it is crucial that residents are prepared and take necessary precautions to mitigate the effects of heavy rain and flash flooding.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 13, 2026 ·
Source: CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? MIDLAND-ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - The threat of heavy rain and flash flooding will affect parts of West Texas through Thursday evening. An upper-level disturbance will combine with tropical moisture from the Gulf of America to produce areas of heavy rain through the rest of the week.
Be sure to be a...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 13, 2026 by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Tom Tefertiller at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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