Recent heavy rainfall has caused flooding across portions of the Texas Hill Country, creating hazardous conditions that can change rapidly. Floodwaters can rise with little warning, making roads, low-water crossings, and other travel routes dangerous or impassable.
At Bandera Electric Cooperative, the safety of our members, employees, and communities is our highest priority. We encourage everyone to stay informed, avoid unnecessary travel, and take extra precautions until conditions improve.
Flood Safety Tips
1. Turn Around, Don't Drown®
Never drive through flooded roadways or low-water crossings. Just a few inches of moving water can cause you to lose control of your vehicle, while deeper or faster-moving water can sweep a vehicle away.
2. Avoid Unnecessary Travel
If heavy rain or flooding is occurring, stay off the roads whenever possible. Waiting until conditions improve is often the safest choice.
3. Obey Road Closures
Road closure signs and barricades are placed to protect motorists from unsafe conditions. Never drive around or move barricades to continue down a flooded roadway.
4. Slow Down
If you must travel, reduce your speed on wet roads, allow extra following distance, and be prepared for rapidly changing conditions.
5. Stay Alert
Floodwaters can hide washed-out pavement, sinkholes, debris, and downed power lines. Remain alert and avoid areas where water is covering the roadway.
6. Monitor Weather Conditions
Weather conditions can change quickly. Continue monitoring local forecasts and emergency alerts before and during travel.
Flood Safety at Home
Flooding doesn't just impact roadways—it can also pose serious risks at home. Keep these safety tips in mind:
Stay Informed
Monitor local weather forecasts and emergency alerts throughout the day. If local officials issue evacuation orders, leave immediately and follow recommended evacuation routes.
Prepare for Power Outages
Charge your mobile devices, keep flashlights and extra batteries readily available, and have an emergency kit stocked with drinking water, non-perishable food, medications, first aid supplies, and important documents stored in a waterproof container.
Protect Your Home
If flooding is expected, move electronics, valuables, and important documents to higher levels. Bring outdoor furniture and loose items indoors to prevent them from becoming hazards.
Be Aware of Electrical Hazards
If floodwaters enter your home, stay away from electrical equipment and outlets that may have come into contact with water. Never touch electrical equipment while standing in water. If it is safe to do so, turn off power at the main breaker. If you cannot safely access it, leave the area and contact emergency personnel.
Local Emergency Shelters
If flooding threatens your home or local officials issue an evacuation order, do not wait. Move to higher ground and seek shelter immediately.
The following emergency shelter locations have been established for impacted communities. Please note that shelter locations and availability may change throughout the day as conditions evolve. Before traveling, verify the latest information with your local emergency management office or local officials.
Bandera County
- Silver Sage
803 Buck Creek Drive
Uvalde Area
- Flores Elementary School
901 N. Getty Street - Dalton Elementary School
600 N. Fourth Street - Southwest Texas College
2401 Garner Field Road
Center Point Area
- Center Point Middle School
207 China Street
Kendall County Area
- Comfort High School - *Will Close at 6:00 PM on July 16.*
143 US-87 North
Kerr County Area
- Calvary Temple Church Gym
3000 Loop 534 - City West Church (Ingram)
3139 Junction Hwy
If you are in immediate danger or need emergency assistance, call 911 immediately. If an evacuation order is issued, follow the directions of emergency officials and use only approved evacuation routes.
Additional Safety Reminders
- Never attempt to walk or drive through floodwaters.
- Avoid low-water crossings, even if they appear passable. Water depth and current strength can be deceptive.
- If your route becomes flooded, turn around and find an alternate route.
- If floodwaters begin rising around your vehicle, move to higher ground immediately if it is safe to do so.
- Stay away from downed power lines and electrical equipment. Always assume downed lines are energized and report them immediately to 911 and Bandera Electric Cooperative.
- Keep your mobile phone charged and have an emergency kit available in case conditions worsen.
- Keep children and pets away from floodwaters, which may contain hidden debris, contaminants, or dangerous currents.
Helpful Resources
Stay informed by following trusted sources for the latest weather and emergency information:
- Flood preparedness and safety: Ready.gov/floods
- Texas road conditions and closures: drivetexas.org
- National Weather Service: Weather.gov
- Texas Division of Emergency Management
- Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
- Your local county emergency management office and local law enforcement agencies
We're Here to Help
As severe weather continues to impact our service area, we encourage everyone to make safety their top priority. Please continue to monitor changing conditions, follow guidance from local officials, and never take unnecessary risks around floodwaters.
Remember: Turn Around, Don't Drown®. Your destination can wait, but your safety cannot.
If you experience an electric outage, please report it through your online SmartHub account at BanderaElectric.com, through the myBEC mobile app, or by contacting Bandera Electric Cooperative at 866.226.3372. Never approach or drive over a downed power line—always assume it is energized.
Stay safe, and thank you for helping keep our communities safe during this severe weather event.