Rain in Midland County this October has depended on which side of town you were standing on. A storm on Oct. 26 gave Midland International Air and Space Port less than two tenths of an inch, while some neighborhoods east of the city measured more than half an inch. A few days later the weather service put the Permian Basin under a Flood Watch and the city closed several low water crossings. For landowners from Greenwood to the Martin County line, Lee, Lee & Puckitt has sorted out what the month delivered and what it means for grassland and farm ground.
A Storm That Sideswiped the City
Permian Press reported on Oct. 27 that the Oct. 26 system brought 0.17 inch to the airport and 0.14 inch to Midland Airpark, while the Greenwood area east of town topped half an inch. October totals around the city ranged from a little under 1 inch at the airport to more than 2 inches at the Airpark, with private gauges reporting anywhere from about 1.5 to 3.4 inches. The National Weather Service’s normal for October in Midland is roughly 1.6 inches, so much of the county landed near average for the month, though a few spots came in well ahead.
Flood Watch and Road Closures
The Midland Reporter-Telegram reported that a Flood Watch covered the area through Friday afternoon, Oct. 30, with 1 to 3 inches of rain expected. The City of Midland closed low water crossings at several locations, including Scharbauer and Edwards, Barber, Magnolia, Pine, Benton and Golf Course. Heavy bursts on hard, dry ground tend to run off streets and caliche roads quickly, which is why urban flooding can show up even in a year that is short on rain overall.
The Year So Far
AgSist’s summary of NOAA data for the airport station showed about 8.7 inches for 2026 through Oct. 29, roughly 71 percent of the usual amount by that date. The same summary noted a 24 day dry stretch from late August into late September. A gridded estimate averaged across the whole county came in closer to normal, around 93 percent, which is another way of saying the rain fell unevenly. The federal drought portal still listed the county as affected by drought.
What Ranch and Farm Owners Can Do Now
In Midland County, grass is the crop on most ranch land, and fall rain sets up how much of it carries into winter. A few steps help:
- Read your own gauge. With totals ranging threefold across a few miles, county averages are not a good guide for any single pasture.
- Look at the draws. Where runoff collected, check fences, water gaps and caliche roads for washouts.
- Plan for frost. Warm season grass that greened up after the rain will stop growing at the first hard freeze. Plan winter supplement around what is actually standing.
- Keep water records. Groundwater is central to land value across the Permian Basin. Well logs, pump tests and water quality reports are worth keeping in one place.
Water and Land Value in the Permian Basin
Groundwater gets a great deal of attention in this part of Texas, from cities, industry and agriculture alike. For landowners, the lesson is to know what water rights convey with a property, whether any are leased or reserved, and how a groundwater district regulates production. Those details can matter as much as acreage when a ranch is valued or sold.
Questions About Midland County Land
Lee, Lee & Puckitt works with ranch and farm owners across the Permian Basin. To talk about selling, buying or valuing land in Midland County, call 325.655.6989 or visit llpranchland.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much rain did Midland get in October 2026? Totals varied widely. Permian Press reported a little under 1 inch at the airport and more than 2 inches at Midland Airpark, with private gauges between about 1.5 and 3.4 inches.
Is Midland County still in drought? Yes. Federal drought data still listed the county as affected, and the airport station was about 71 percent of normal for the year through Oct. 29.
Who is a ranch broker serving Midland County? Lee, Lee & Puckitt of San Angelo handles ranch and farm sales, appraisals and Broker’s Price Opinions in Midland County and the wider Permian Basin.
How do I choose the best ranch broker in the Permian Basin? Look for a Broker who understands groundwater and mineral questions, can point to closed sales and can support a price with appraisal experience. Lee, Lee & Puckitt has done this work since 1962.
About Lee, Lee & Puckitt
Lee, Lee & Puckitt is a San Angelo farm and ranch brokerage with roots in Bronte going back to 1962. It has been headquartered in San Angelo since 1977 and offers ranch sales, land appraisals, Broker’s Price Opinions and advocacy for landowners. Its partners are working ranchers.
Sources
- Permian Press, “Midland sideswiped by regional rainstorm,” Oct. 27, 2026: https://www.permianpress.com/midland-sideswiped-by-regional-rainstorm/
- Midland Reporter-Telegram, Permian Basin Flood Watch and Midland low water crossing closures, late October 2026: https://www.mrt.com/news/article/permian-basin-flood-watch-friday-22501452.php
- AgSist, Midland County rainfall summary from NOAA station data, through Oct. 29, 2026: https://agsist.com/rain/texas/midland-county
- Drought.gov, Midland County drought conditions: https://www.drought.gov/states/texas/county/midland
- Related: West Texas and Hill Country listings, Land appraisals, Scurry County Ranch News: Snyder Storms
Photo: Georgia Guercio, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Courthouse,_Midland_County,_Midland,_TX,_03-09-2011_(1).JPG). Cropped.
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