Rockwall County marks Flood Awareness Week with safety warning

Rockwall County is pressing a blunt message ahead of the next heavy rain: know the conditions before you travel, because floodwater can turn roads, bridges and foundations dangerous in minutes. The county posted its Flood Awareness Week reminder on May 18, 2026, as Texas observed the campaign from May 18-22 and marked Wear Blue Wednesday on May 20.

The county’s warning was tied to two recent disasters Texans know well, the 2015 Memorial Day floods and the July 2025 Hill Country floods. Those floods were catastrophic. The Guadalupe River in Kerr County surged more than 26 feet in about 45 minutes, at least 139 people died, and damage was estimated at about $1.1 billion. Heavy rainfall in early July 2025 also triggered catastrophic flooding across Central Texas, the Hill Country and the Concho Valley, a reminder that fast water can overwhelm communities far from the initial storm cell.

That is why Rockwall County is pushing preparation before storms arrive, not during them. The county says flash flooding can happen very quickly and end just as quickly, which makes timely alerts essential. Its flooding information page draws a clear distinction between flash flooding and more gradual, predictable flooding, and county officials stress that residents should monitor local radar, TV and online weather reports before heading out. Prolonged dry periods can also leave debris behind, creating another hazard when floodwaters finally move in.

The safety instructions are direct. Avoid flooded areas. Never drive or walk into moving water. Understand that river flooding, flash flooding and post-wildfire flooding can all threaten lives in different ways, and that burned land can send debris flows downhill after heavy rain. The county’s message is that a few minutes of caution can prevent a rescue call, especially when water starts rising across low spots and roadways without warning.

For Rockwall County residents, the point of Flood Awareness Week was not ceremonial. It was a practical reminder that the next storm could become a countywide emergency quickly, and that the safest response starts before anyone leaves home.