Show Must Go On, Despite Heavy Flooding
By: Stephanie Sobic
Updated: June 29, 2010
Today's heavy rain is kind of a catch 22. We need it after months of going without substantial rain. But, heavy showers in West Texas also caused a lot of problems; for both emergency crews and for the drivers going to work dealing with the flooding.
The service road off of Highway 80 was shut down because of the massive flooding. And, for the businesses along the service road, flooding hurts their business. But, for one of the businesses: the show must go on!
"We run 3-5 midnight screenings a year and this one has probably generated the most enthusiasm we've ever had," explains General Manager of the Big Sky Drive-In Theater, Lamont Furlow.
Furlow, says he's not letting the weather rain on his midnight screening parade.
"We are all good the show is going on," says Furlow.
The Big Sky Theater is prepared to beat a rain storm.
"We have ditches behind all the screens that collect all the run-off from the screens," explains Furlow.
Really the only rain threat at the theater is the rain puddles, so keep that in mind if you’re coming out for the show.
"They might want to bring rain wear and an umbrella in case it’s raining when they want to come to the concessions," says Furlow.
Much like being prepared to watch Eclipse at the drive in, David Hickman with the Midland Fire Department says drivers should always be prepared to take a different way when it rains.
"Slow down when your going through high water take an alternative route. People don't like to change the way they do things sometimes," says Hickman.
But, in the future drivers will have no choice. The city of Midland is looking at closing off certain intersections when it floods.
"[We are] looking at these target areas and start doing some mitigation. Even some physical barriers, you know the draw when you’re going to Midland College, that’s got the physical barrier that they lock to keep people from coming in," explains Hickman.
On a side note, weather-wise the only thing that affects the drive-in theater is fog, not the rain. The Twilight saga, Eclipse, is showing at the Big Sky Drive-In at midnight.
