Flood Awareness Week: Turn Around, Don’t Drown
Published on May 18, 2026
Flood Awareness Week: Turn Around, Don’t Drown
City encourages residents to stay flood safe by learning about San Antonio’s 10 most dangerous low-water crossings.
SAN ANTONIO (May 18, 2026) – The City of San Antonio is observing Flood Awareness Week from May 18-22, 2026, encouraging residents to prepare for flash flooding and never drive, walk or play in flood water. South Central Texas is one of the most flood-prone regions in the country, and the National Weather Service reports that more than half of all flood deaths nationwide involve vehicles driven into flooded roadways. Just six inches of moving water can knock an adult off their feet, and 12 to 18 inches can carry away most vehicles, including SUVs and trucks.
The San Antonio Fire Department (SAFD) tracks high-water rescues across the city to identify the locations where motorists are most often caught in rising water. From 2015 through 2025, SAFD responded to dozens of rescues at the same handful of crossings, many of them only inches deep at the beginning of a storm. Drivers should plan to avoid the following locations during heavy rain.
San Antonio’s Top 10 Most Dangerous Low Water Crossings (Rescues from 2015–2025)
1. Old Seguin at Salado Creek – District 2, 78219 (46 rescues)
2. Old O’Connor, North of Lookout Road – District 10, 78233 (31 rescues)
3. Hollyhock, 600 feet West of Babcock – District 7, 78240 (20 rescues)
4. Pinn Road, 1,320 feet South of West Commerce – District 6, 78227 (14 rescues)
5. Spencer Lane, East of Balcones – District 1, 78201 (13 rescues)
6. Ira Lee, North of Austin Highway – District 10, 78218 (12 rescues)
7. Sleepy Hollow at Sunburst – District 8, 78230 (10 rescues)
8. Gibbs Sprawl at Rosillo Creek – District 2, 78219 (10 rescues)
9. West Commerce from Pinn Road to Military – District 6, 78227 (9 rescues)
10. North Loop, 150 feet Southeast of West North Loop – District 9, 78216 (8 rescues)
Residents are encouraged to know more than one route to and from home and work, and to have a family emergency plan in place. Remember: Turn Around, Don’t Drown. If you encounter a barricade or flooded roadway, turn around and find another route. It could save your life.
For real-time updates on barricaded low water crossings, residents can visit SA.gov/Floods. In the event of a disaster or emergency, SA.gov/Alerts will provide official updates from the City of San Antonio.