Property Protection Measures

Floodproofing / Retrofitting

There are several different ways to protect a building from flood damage:

• One way is to keep the water away by regrading your lot or building a small floodwall or earthen berm. These methods work if your lot is large enough, if flooding is not too deep, and if your property is not in the floodway.
• Another approach is to make your walls waterproof and place watertight closures over the doorways. This method is not recommended for houses with basements of if water will get over two feet deep.
• Additionally, it is possible to raise the house above flood levels. A small wood frame house can be elevated for less than $10,000.

These measures are called floodproofing or retrofitting. More information is available at the Ector County Library or the FEMA Homeowner's Guide to Retrofitting (PDF). Important note: any alteration to your building or land requires a permit. Even regrading or filling in the floodplain requires a permit.

What You Can Do

Several of the City's efforts depend on your cooperation and assistance. Here is how you can help:

• Do not dump or throw anything into the ditches or streams. Dumping in our ditches and streams is a violation of the City of Odessa Ordinance 2009-42. Even grass clippings and branches can accumulate and plug channels. A plugged channel cannot carry water and when it rains the water has to go somewhere. Every piece of trash contributes to flooding.
• If your property is next to a ditch or stream, please do your part and keep the banks clear of brush and debris. The City has a drainage maintenance program which can help remove major blockages such as downed trees.
• If you see dumping or debris in ditches or streams, contact the Public Works Department at 432-335-3242.
• Contact the City of Odessa Engineering Division at 432-335-3242 for any questions you may have regarding the flood zone.