Odessa, Texas Addresses Widespread Utility Outages and Provides Aid

Odessa, Texas, is currently grappling with widespread electricity and water outages, prompting a coordinated response from local and state agencies to provide assistance to affected residents. Emergency aid stations have been established throughout the city to offer support and resources.

Current Situation

As of February 20, 2026, approximately half of Odessa is without electricity and water services. The city has deployed additional aid stations to address the needs of residents impacted by the outages. The State Emergency Service has likewise contributed to the effort by deploying additional aid points within the city. A “Heat Package” is also being provided to residents, details of which are available through local news sources.

Emergency Services Districts (ESDs) in Ector County

Ector County, where Odessa is located, is served by two Emergency Services Districts (ESDs), ESD 1 and ESD 2. These districts were established by a public vote on May 3, 2025, to provide fire protection and/or emergency medical services (EMS) in unincorporated areas of the county. ESDs collect taxes based on property appraisals and typically contract with service providers like Odessa Fire Rescue or the West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department. Each ESD has a maximum tax rate of 10 cents per $100 of property value.

Tax Rate Information

Public hearings regarding the 2026 tax rates for ESD #1 and ESD #2 have been scheduled. Adopted tax rates and budgets for both ESD #1 and ESD #2 are now available. Details can be found on the Ector County ESD website.

State and Federal Assistance

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) is available to provide assistance. The TDEM can be reached at (512) 424-2208. Governor Greg Abbott recently announced that FEMA has approved a Fire Management Assistance Grant (FMAG) for the 8 Ball Fire in the Texas Panhandle. Governor Abbott has also increased the readiness level of the Texas State Emergency Operations Center (SOC) to Level II in anticipation of critical wildfire danger across western Texas and activated additional state wildfire response resources.

Resources and Contact Information

• Ector County ESD: https://ectoresd.com/
• Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM): https://www.tdem.texas.gov/about/contact (512) 424-2208

Residents in need of assistance can also explore various assistance programs available in Ector County and Odessa, offering financial aid and resources for essential needs.