When it rains in Amarillo, it doesn’t just pour—it sometimes shuts down major highways, strands drivers, and forces businesses to close their doors. The flooding isn’t just inconvenient. For many residents and business owners, it’s a recurring frustration that’s hitting livelihoods and raising questions about the city’s long-term infrastructure planning.
This week, after heavy rainfall dumped nearly three inches of water in one night, Interstate 40 at Washington Avenue was forced to close due to flooding. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) acknowledged that this wasn’t an isolated incident.
“TxDOT is aware of the flooding issues at this intersection during periods of high-rainfall intensity. We are actively looking at solutions to mitigate flooding at this area to improve the safety for the traveling public,” the agency said. “We strongly urge drivers to avoid travel, if possible, during heavy rainfall events.”
Why It Keeps Happening
Amarillo’s geography doesn’t do it any favors. The city’s flat terrain and limited natural drainage mean that water tends to sit in low spots until it’s carried away through the storm sewer system. That process can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour after heavy rain stops—sometimes longer in major storms.
Alan Harder, from the city’s Public Works Department, says the city is well aware of the situation and has spent years working on long-term fixes.
“We have master plans that identify areas that are more prone to localized flooding. We have projects identified over $250 million,” Harder said. “Since the drainage utility was implemented in 2012, we’ve done $30 million worth of projects and have another $42 million of projects lined up in the pipeline to be completed in the next few years to help mitigate those types of things.”
While these numbers sound big, the results so far haven’t been enough to prevent closures during major downpours. Harder admits there’s no way to guarantee water-free streets during the worst storms.
“There’s always some rain event, no matter what we do and no matter how much we mitigate the risk… there’s always some rain event that’s gonna cause that to happen.”
The city’s plan is part of a Community Investment Plan scheduled for completion around the 2027–2028 fiscal year. That means some of the most ambitious projects are still years away from breaking ground or being finished. Until then, Harder advises residents to follow the simple rule: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
“We know when we get a lot of rain because of our geography, it’s gonna stay in the streets until it can get into our storm sewer system. That’s the way the Earth is shaped here. We can’t change that. We just ask that they be patient… 30 minutes to an hour after the rain passes, [the water] has subsided and the streets are open and passable again.”
The Economic Ripple Effect
For local businesses, every hour of flooding can mean hundreds—or even thousands—of dollars in lost revenue. On Monday night, flooding along Paramount Boulevard forced multiple businesses to shut down early. For restaurants and service industries, a lost shift doesn’t just hurt the bottom line—it hits employees directly in their paychecks.
Steve Garcia, owner of Calico County Restaurant, described the anxiety that comes with each storm forecast.
“You just know it’s scary every time it rains. If that’s going to affect us or our neighbors, you know.”
David Day, a frustrated community member, vented on social media:
“How many times must this happen before the city is held accountable??!!!”
Another resident, Joshua Paul, was even more blunt in his criticism:
“Unfortunately, the City of Amarillo, Texas, does not give a single crap about their business owners. They have not even tried to start any sort of remedy. I wish someone was able to hold them accountable for all the drainage money that goes elsewhere.”
The frustration is not just about the inconvenience—it’s about the financial hit. Garcia points out that even a single shift closure means real losses.
“If we close a shift—even if it’s one shift—it’s not just the company losing money, it’s every employee that’s in here loses money.”
Ron Inmon, general manager of Pizza Planet, agrees.
“It does stop us. We need… the extra support after that. We really do because an hour here is an hour lost. That’s times, you know, seven, eight people… it’s an hour out of their paychecks, too. So it is tough. It is tough.”
Inmon says the problem hasn’t gone away despite past improvements.
“Always. Even after the upgrades that they’ve done, drainpipes and all. But yeah, it’s always… flash flooding.”
The Long Road to Solutions
The city’s Drainage Master Plan, a 273-page document, outlines potential fixes, including $13.6 million in repairs to nearby Lawrence Lake. But no timeline for those repairs has been released, leaving residents to wonder how soon any real relief might arrive.
When pressed, Harder’s reassurances are measured.
“Yeah, I don’t have anything to say beyond just the fact that… we have master plans in place that identify projects that would help mitigate flood risk.”
The challenge isn’t just engineering—it’s timing and funding. Infrastructure projects of this scale take years to design, approve, and build. Meanwhile, Amarillo is on track to nearly double its average annual rainfall this year. More water means more stress on the existing system, and more opportunities for flooding to expose weaknesses.
What Can Be Done Now
While major drainage improvements are years away, there are practical steps that can help reduce the immediate impact:
Better Storm Preparedness Alerts – Residents and business owners need earlier and more detailed warnings so they can prepare, adjust schedules, and avoid flooded areas.
Short-Term Engineering Fixes – Temporary pumps or expanded storm drains in the most flood-prone intersections could help reduce the duration of street closures.
Public Education Campaigns – While “Turn around, don’t drown” is a solid message, more outreach about flood safety and alternative routes could save lives and property.
Business Impact Mitigation – Small grants or emergency relief funds for affected businesses could help offset the loss of income during closures.
Community Accountability – Clear public timelines and progress reports on each identified project could help build trust between the city and its residents.
Why Geography Matters
One of the less-discussed factors is Amarillo’s natural topography. The city sits on relatively flat terrain with minimal natural runoff channels. That means stormwater management relies heavily on man-made infrastructure—storm drains, retention basins, and pumping stations. When rainfall exceeds the system’s capacity, water simply pools until it can be processed.
Harder’s point about the Earth’s shape is more than just a shrug—it’s a reality check. Even the best drainage system has limits. Cities like Houston, New Orleans, and Dallas face similar issues, and they’ve invested billions in flood mitigation. Amarillo’s challenge is balancing that kind of spending with other infrastructure needs.
The Human Side of the Story
Flooding isn’t just a matter of traffic delays and detours. For restaurant workers, delivery drivers, and retail employees, an hour of closure can mean missing rent or grocery money. For business owners, repeated closures can erode customer loyalty. People don’t want to risk getting stranded in a parking lot or trapped by rising water just to grab dinner.
The emotional toll is also real. Garcia’s comment—“You just know it’s scary every time it rains”—captures the anxiety of living in a place where weather can halt your livelihood without warning.
Social media responses show that many residents feel unheard, believing that years of warnings and budget allocations haven’t translated into tangible improvements.
Looking Ahead
By 2028, Amarillo’s planned drainage improvements could make a significant difference. But that’s three to four more years of storms, closures, and business losses. The city will need to balance its long-term plans with immediate stopgap measures to prevent the most disruptive events from repeating.
For now, residents will keep checking the sky and the radar. Businesses will keep hoping each storm passes without incident. And drivers will keep remembering the same advice every flood-prone city eventually learns: find another way home, or wait it out.
Final Takeaway:
Amarillo’s flooding problem isn’t going away tomorrow. Geography, infrastructure age, and rising rainfall totals all play a part. The city has a roadmap for solutions, but execution will take time. Until then, awareness, preparation, and patience remain the best tools in the community’s arsenal—alongside the hope that progress comes before the next big storm.
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