Flash Floods on the Blanco River Can Rise with Little Warning

The Hill Country sits over thin soils and limestone that shed water quickly into narrow river valleys. The Blanco River, which flows through the county seat of Blanco, can go from low to dangerous in a matter of hours when thunderstorms stall upstream. The May 2015 flood was one of the most destructive in the region's recorded history, devastating communities along the river corridor.

If you are buying property near the Blanco or Pedernales rivers, check the FEMA Flood Map Service Center (msc.fema.gov) for the current flood zone designation. Properties in high-risk zones (Zone A or AE) typically require flood insurance if financed through a federally backed mortgage. Even properties outside mapped flood zones can flood, since maps are updated periodically and some low-water areas are not fully mapped.

TxDOT warns drivers never to cross flooded low-water crossings — the 'Turn Around, Don't Drown' rule carries legal weight in Texas, with fines up to $2,000 and possible jail time for driving around barriers at flooded roads. Monitor river gauges at water.weather.gov and sign up for county emergency alerts through the county's official site at blancocountytexas.gov.