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Texans have lots of fun little sayings like, “Don’t mess with Texas!” and “Drive friendly” and “I wasn’t born in Texas, but I got here as fast as I could.” There’s another little saying that the Texas Department of Public Safety likes to remind residents about. It’s not intended to entertain but to save lives. It’s easy to remember and goes like this: Turn around, don’t drown!
When heavy rain is in the forecast, flash flooding is a significant concern for Central Texas. Around Dripping Springs, there are literally hundreds of low water crossings, which generally have not been a cause for flash flood concerns due to drought conditions over the past several years. When creeks and streams start to run again, it’s time to recall and heed that little “turn around” safety saying. Or, if singing a ditty about it will help the whole family remember, feel free to crank up the Turn Around Don’t Drown Song written and freely distributed online by John Fausett, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service in El Paso.
Hays County is part of an area of Texas known as “Flash Flood Alley” where sudden, heavy rains cause flooding and flash flooding. According to Hays County emergency management officials, sometimes the rain can be far away from the actual flood site, which can lead people to believe no problem exists in their area. A National Weather Service Austin statement issued through Hays County Constable Ron Hood’s local office, warned that most flash flood deaths involve driving at night.
“Each year, lives are lost in Central Texas because people are caught unaware or decline to take warnings seriously,” said Jeff Turner, Hays County Emergency Management Coordinator. “Many times those deaths are preventable. When a road or bridge is barricaded, turn around – don’t drown. You often can’t tell the water depth or the condition of the road underneath the water and that means the road might have already been torn away by the water. Remember, only a few inches of fast-moving water can knock you off your feet or sweep your car off the road.”
Flood Safety Awareness Week is typically declared annually in March, by the Governor’s office, with an echoing proclamation by the Hays County Court of Commissioners. Residents can familiarize themselves year round with online resources. Hays County has installed warning systems at 17 bridges and low-water crossings. The map showing the flood conditions is available atwww.co.hays.tx.us/wateroverroads or from the home page of the County’s web site,www.co.hays.tx.us. The latest watches, warnings, and advisories from the National Weather Service Austin in San Antonio are posted at www.srh.noaa.gov/ewx
Hays County partners with the Capital Area Council of Governments (CAPCOG) in the regional Emergency Notification System. Using a reverse 9-1-1 calling system, emergency officials can alert local residents when certain emergencies threaten. The system automatically dials all landline telephones in the threatened area; however, residents are urged to ensure that their VOIP and cell phones are in the database by going to the CAPCOG website at http://wireless.capcog.org/ENS/HowItWorks.aspx.
And if all of that information, warnings, and even music, are not enough to motivate you to be inconvenienced by finding another way around a potentially dangerous low water crossing this springs, perhaps this 2010 LCRA public service video about the power of flash floods and the risks of taking chances will:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgHZj8xzTF8&feature=related
Around Dripping Springs 