Hays County sits in Flash Flood Alley, one of the most dangerous flood zones in the nation

The Hill Country terrain west of San Marcos funnels heavy rain into creeks and rivers very fast. The region has been called Flash Flood Alley because intense storms can dump inches of rain in hours. Creeks can go from dry or low to dangerously high in less than an hour, well before most warning systems can alert residents.

If you are buying a home near any creek, river, or low-lying area in Hays County, check the FEMA flood map for that address at msc.fema.gov. Even land outside a mapped flood zone can flood. Many mortgage lenders require flood insurance for properties in high-risk zones, and some homeowners outside those zones still choose to buy it.