Severe Rain Safety

Last updated:

05/01/2025

Heavy rainfall can happen quickly in Amarillo, often leading to dangerous driving conditions, localized flash flooding, and unsafe travel. Severe rain events are serious and should be treated with caution. Here’s how you can stay safe and informed when storms bring heavy rain to the Texas Panhandle.

Office of Emergency Management: Travel Safety and Public Protection

During periods of significant rainfall, the Amarillo Office of Emergency Management (OEM) works closely with local public safety partners, utility departments, and weather experts to evaluate conditions and help keep our community safe. OEM continuously monitors weather developments and coordinates city-wide responses to severe rain and flood risks. 

To protect residents, OEM strongly encourages avoiding non-essential travel during heavy rainfall. Roads can quickly become dangerous or impassable, and staying off the road helps reduce the number of emergency incidents and rescues. 

Key OEM safety recommendations: 

  • Do not drive through flooded roads or underpasses. Turn Around, Don’t Drown. 
  • Limit travel during heavy rain to relieve pressure on first responders and public safety teams. 
  • Get accurate weather updates through the National Weather Service Amarillo: weather.gov/ama 
  • Follow the Amarillo Office of Emergency Management on social media for timely information and instructions. 

OEM’s coordination with local agencies ensures a proactive, unified response to protect Amarillo residents during any severe weather event. 

Public Works Department: Supporting Flood Response and Playa Operations

The Amarillo Public Works Department supports storm response citywide by maintaining roadways, monitoring playa lake levels, and ensuring safe travel routes as conditions allow. When rainfall exceeds what the system can naturally absorb, Public Works activates operations to help move water and protect critical infrastructure. 

In the event of heavy rain, the department deploys portable and permanent pumps at key playa lakes to manage stormwater buildup. Crews will monitor conditions closely throughout the event to ensure levels remain at a manageable range and the stormwater system is operating as expected. 

Playa Lakes:  

  • McDonald Lake 
  • Lawrence 
  • Tee Anchor 
  • Bennett 
  • Martin 

For more information and lake status, visit www.amarillo.gov/drainage-utility/

What Citizens Can Do: Stay Safe and Be Prepared

Driving and Travel Safety 
  • Avoid all non-essential travel during and immediately after heavy rain 
  • Never attempt to drive through flooded roads—depth and damage are often hidden 
  • Slow down and leave extra space between vehicles if driving is unavoidable 
Alert and Information Tools 
  • Monitor the National Weather Service Amarillo for watches and warnings 
  • Follow Amarillo OEM and City of Amarillo social media for updates 
Home and Property Preparation 
  • Clear gutters, downspouts, and storm drains near your property 
  • Secure outdoor items that could block drainage paths or be carried by runoff 
  • Prepare a basic emergency kit with flashlights, batteries, food, water, medications, and important documents 

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