Heavy rains fall on Permian Basin

Odessa, a desert? It didn't seem like it Friday and Saturday as a dissipating tropical depression drifted through West Texas, dumping almost two inches in the city and even more in some spots.

National Weather Service meteorologist Eric Platt said Schleymeyer Field received 1.24 inches of rain by 4 p.m. Saturday, along with 0.61 inches Friday and 0.03 inches Thursday. Penwell had an even 2 inches on Saturday alone, along with 0.29 inches on Friday.

"Personally, I call it a good rain," Platt said. "We're still behind normal but it will help to get us on the road to get the normal amount of (precipitation for the year)."

Platt said there were scattered floods throughout the region, including a reported flood at 42nd Street and Dixie Boulevard.

Dixie between Second Street and Murphy Street, which recently received a seal coat, was damaged and the road was closed off through most of Saturday. An officer at the Odessa Police Department said that the seal coat likely didn't set properly, though it was not known if the rain was to blame for it. However, no high-water rescues were reported in the region.

Up at 42nd Street and Dixie Boulevard, Bryce Lock of the Eskimo Hut said he the water came up to the door and stalled several cars during the past two days.

"It's kind of like watching a tide," he said.

Across the street, Chris Rodgers of John's Corner said they had a good amount of water coming 10 feet up the curb toward the shop, while the shop's floor was still soaking wet by the afternoon. But he and Trisha Wilie were taking it in stride.

"We shovel it out," Rodgers joked.

Rainfall totals between Thursday and Saturday:

>> Schlemeyer field: 1.88 inches

>> Midland International Airport: 1.60 inches