Driving / Flood
Low-water crossings and flood safety on Bell County roads
Bell County has numerous low-water crossings on FM and county roads that can become life-threatening within minutes of a rain event, and barricades mean turn around.
Central Texas sits in one of the most flash-flood-prone corridors in the United States. Bell County has multiple low-water crossings on county roads and Farm-to-Market roads where water can rise very quickly during or after rain. A crossing that looks passable can have two feet or more of fast-moving water that can sweep a vehicle off the road.
The Bell County Public Health District emphasizes the Turn Around, Don't Drown principle. Six inches of fast-moving water can knock a person off their feet. One foot of moving water can sweep a small car away. When Bell County closes a low-water crossing with barricades, it is illegal and dangerous to drive around them.
Flash flood watches and warnings for Bell County are issued by the National Weather Service Fort Worth office. Sign up for weather alerts on your phone and monitor conditions any time heavy rain is in the forecast, especially in spring. For current road closures, check the Bell County Engineer's office at bellcountytx.com or call 911 if a road is flooded and people are in danger.
Source to confirm: Bell County Public Health – Flood Preparedness and Safety