The National Weather Service office in Midland/Odessa, Texas issued a Flash Flood Warning early Tuesday, September 30, at 1:41 AM MDT. The warning remains in effect until 4:45 AM MDT and covers a broad stretch of the southern High Plains.
Twelve areas are included in the warning. Confirmed counties so far include Lea, Eddy, Curry, Quay, and Roosevelt counties in New Mexico, along with Oldham, Potter, Randall, Deaf Smith, and Parmer counties in Texas, with at least two additional areas also covered. This region includes the Amarillo metro area (Potter and Randall counties) and communities along the Texas-New Mexico state line.
A flash flood warning means flooding is happening now or is imminent – this is more urgent than a watch. Readers in these areas may notice rapidly rising water on roads, flooded underpasses and low-water crossings, and fast-moving water in normally dry arroyos and drainage channels. Heavy rain overnight can be especially dangerous because flooding is harder to see in the dark.
What to keep in mind
First, never drive through flooded roads – six inches of moving water can knock a person down, and two feet can carry away a vehicle. If you encounter water over the roadway, turn around and find another route. Second, if you live in a low-lying area or near a drainage channel, be ready to move to higher ground quickly, and keep your phone charged and volume on for additional alerts. Third, since this warning runs through the pre-dawn hours, plan for possible road closures and hazardous travel during the morning commute, especially along rural highways and low-water crossings common in this part of the Plains.
The warning is currently set to expire at 4:45 AM MDT, but it could be extended or reissued if heavy rain continues. This information comes from the National Weather Service (NWS) office in Midland/Odessa, Texas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do right now if I'm in the warned area?
Stay off the roads if possible, avoid low-water crossings, and move to higher ground if you are in a flood-prone spot. Keep a weather radio or phone alerts active since conditions can change quickly overnight.
Is it safe to drive to work in the morning?
Use caution – the warning runs until 4:45 AM MDT, and floodwater may linger on roads after the rain stops. Never drive through standing or moving water; turn around and take a different route.
Which cities are affected?
The warning covers 12 areas, including the Amarillo area (Potter and Randall counties, TX) and parts of eastern New Mexico such as Lea, Eddy, Curry, Quay, and Roosevelt counties, plus additional nearby counties.
How long will this last?
The current warning expires at 4:45 AM MDT on September 30. The National Weather Service may extend it or issue new warnings if heavy rainfall continues, so keep monitoring local alerts.
Keep tracking this:
Source: National Weather Service (NWS)
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Sky & Solar Conditions at the Time
Moon: Waning Gibbous (85% illuminated), in Taurus.
Notable planetary angles: Mercury square Mars (88°), Moon square Jupiter (87°).
Concurrent space weather: planetary Kp index 1.0; strongest recent solar flare: nothing notable.
This is a factual snapshot, not a claim of cause and effect – researchers are divided on whether lunar, planetary or solar factors influence seismic or weather activity. It’s included so readers can track the pattern for themselves over time.
