Texas Porch

Flood Hazard

The Blanco River through Hays County can flood with deadly speed

Hays County sits in one of the most flood-prone regions in the country, and the Blanco River can rise more than 10 feet above record levels in a single storm.

Hays County Home & Property

On Memorial Day weekend in 2015, a storm dropped 10 to 13 inches of rain in 4 to 6 hours in southern Blanco County. The Blanco River at Wimberley crested at an estimated 44.9 feet — more than 10 feet above the previous record set in 1929. More than 350 homes were destroyed or severely damaged across the affected area.

This region is known as Flash Flood Alley. Rivers can rise from dry beds to dangerous levels in minutes during heavy rain. If you are buying land or a home near the Blanco River, San Marcos River, or any creek in Hays County, check FEMA flood maps at msc.fema.gov and ask your insurance agent about flood coverage. Do not drive around low-water crossing barricades.

Source to confirm: TWDB — Increasing Safety of Hays County Citizens

More Hays County notes

Property Tax Basics

Two offices handle your property taxes in Hays County

Hays County splits property tax duties between two separate offices, and knowing which one to call saves time.

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Homestead Exemption

Filing a homestead exemption lowers your tax bill in Hays County

If you own and live in your Hays County home, you can file for a homestead exemption to reduce what you owe in property taxes.

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Tax Payment Deadline

Pay your Hays County property taxes by January 31 to avoid penalties

Property tax bills in Hays County arrive in the fall, and January 31 is the last day to pay without extra fees.

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Agricultural Valuation

Farmland in Hays County can be taxed at a much lower rate through ag valuation

Land used for farming or ranching in Hays County may qualify for a special lower tax rate based on what the land can produce, not what it sells for.

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