Turn Around Don’t Drown

More deaths occur due to flooding each year than from any other thunderstorm or hurricane related hazard. Many of these deaths are from motorists trying to drive through flooded areas.

• Do Not attempt to drive through a flooded road. The depth of water is not always obvious. The road may be washed out under the water, and you could be stranded or trapped.
• Do Not drive around a barricade. Barricades are there for your protection. Turn around and go the other way.
• Do Not try to take short cuts. They may be blocked. Stick to designated evacuation routes. Be especially cautious driving at night when it is harder to recognize flood dangers.

Low water crossings:

If it is raining and there is a danger of flash flooding, stay off the roads and wait for the road conditions to improve. You should familiarize yourself with low water crossing locations around your home, work and other sites you visit frequently. BexarFlood.org shows the road conditions of monitored low water crossings across Bexar County.

It is unlawful for any person to willfully move a barricade erected by a person authorized to erect such barricade, or circumvent or drive a motor vehicle past a barricade so erected. Residents driving around a barricade will be fined up to $200 by the San Antonio Police Department. Code 1959, 38-19: Ord. NO. 63132, 6026086

The San Antonio Fire Department will issue a $645 rescue fee when a firefighting unit is requested to rescue victims from a low or swift water crossing. (San Antonio City Code of Ordinance Article II, Section 11-16, subsection M)

Bexar County HALT:

This system is a tool to warn drivers when there is too much water over the road to drive through safely. HALT uses a sensor to detect rising water. Once the water reaches a certain depth, the system will warn drivers to turn around with either flashing lights or a combination of flashing lights and gates.

[logos on screen for the San Antonio Office of Emergency Management and Deaf Link ]