Midland-Odessa’s Flooding Problem Is More Than Just Rain

When people think of life in Midland-Odessa, more than likely, their first thought dwells on oil, not flooding.  However, time and time again, we've faced repeated flooding throughout our region.  Something that locals can relate to when it comes to living here in our small portion of the Permian Basin.

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Why Does It Flood In Midland-Odessa So Easily?

One would think since we technically live in a desert region, when it rains, the ground would soak up the water with the utmost precision.  However, that assessment is completely wrong.  In fact, it's kind of the opposite.  Why does this happen?  Here are some reasons why we see significant flooding.

Reason #1: The Soil

The soil in Midland-Odessa is composed of caliche, a clay-like soil that does not absorb water.  When the rain comes, instead of soaking the water up into the ground, it runs off.

Reason #2: Drainage Infrastructure

There is only a limited amount of drainage infrastructure that Midland-Odessa can handle.  This remains especially true in older parts of the city.  The oil boom mentality did not account for long-term urban planning in mind when the city was developed early on.

Reason #3: The Permian Basin Terrain

It's pretty obvious to just about everyone that we live in an exceedingly flat area.  The flat topography only adds to the problem.  Ranwater essentially has nowhere to go, so it accumulates on the ground, leaving locals to deal with it.

Conclusion

In short, it does not flood here in Midland-Odessa due to heavy rainfall.  It is a combination of circumstances that leaves us in the position we find ourselves in.  This is not a problem that will just go away; it will require major upgrades to the drainage infrastructure to combat it.