Ector County anchored by Odessa in the Permian Basin is the heart of America's most productive oil patch. The county faces tornado risk on the flat West Texas plains and flash flooding from desert thunderstorms. The Permian Basin oil and gas industry creates massive industrial emergency planning requirements. An EF3 tornado struck Odessa in April 2019 killing two people. The county's industrial infrastructure includes refineries pipelines and chemical facilities alongside residential communities.
// Preparedness Recommendations
- Evacuation routes inland should be identified in advance.
- Store at least 72 hours of food and water.
- Elevate critical belongings above flood level.
- Have backup power ready in case of grid failure.
// Recommended Supplies
Essential gear for power outages, severe weather, and emergency situations in your area.
- Emergency Food Supplies
- Water Filtration & Storage
- Backup Generator
- Solar Backup Power
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// Risk Intelligence
| Threat Score | 5 / 10 Moderate Risk |
| Primary Hazard | Tornado / Flash Flooding |
| Secondary Hazard | Industrial Hazmat |
| FEMA Flood Zone | Moderate |
| Federally Declared Disasters | 5 |
| Last Major Event | 2019 Tornado |
| Event Frequency | Annual |
// Emergency Operations
| Emergency Mgmt Phone | (432) 335-3200 |
| Emergency Shelters | 6 designated facilities |
| Evacuation Routes | I-20 US-385 TX-349 TX-191 |
// County Profile
| County | Ector County TX |
| State | Texas (TX) |
| Population | 166 |
| Area | 901 sq miles |
| FEMA Region | Moderate |
// Major Cities
// Cities in This County
// Other Texas Counties
Galveston County TX
Hurricane / Storm Surge
10/10
Critical
Jefferson County TX
Hurricane / Flooding
9/10
Critical
Harris County TX
Hurricane / Flooding
9/10
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Calhoun County TX
Hurricane / Storm Surge
8/10
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Jackson County TX
Hurricane / Storm Surge
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Nueces County TX
Hurricane / Storm Surge
8/10
High