Warning: Severe thunderstorms

*Warning: Severe thunderstorms have been known to produce large hail, damaging winds, flash floods, and even tornadoes.*

It’s that time of year again. As bluebonnets and wildflowers gorgeously accent the lush green countryside, baby birds emerge from their shells, and warm sunny days are complimented with a soothing flower scented breeze, here in Central Texas, the joys of spring are in full force. But as we Texans know, even the most beautiful days can turn ugly in a hurry.

Here are a few tips to help you get through this thunderstorm season safe and sound:

Turn around, don’t drown

You’ve likely all heard this before, but it really is more than a catchy slogan. Flash floods often produce dangerous driving conditions, in which low water crossings, bridges, or even dips in the road can quickly become impassable. Although the best course of action in severe weather situations is to just stay home, if you absolutely must drive, find a safe route. Rerouting may cost time, but a few minutes of extra driving are never worth risking your life over.

Prepare for the flood

Despite its common portrayal as an arid western land, our great state of Texas actually receives quite a bit of rain this time of year. Given our limestone base, and sparse amounts of vegetation, we are a prime target for flash flooding. While it may seem silly to worry about such a thing from the comforts of your hill country home, the fact of the matter is that flash flooding can effect just about any area. In May of 2015, 27 million dollars of damage was done from this natural phenomenon, much of which was not covered by insurance plans. As we enter the month of May, now is a great time to evaluate your flood insurance coverage.

Hail

In my experience, many Texans dream of one day waking up to a solid white ground, but when this rare event happens during our warmer months, it is rarely welcomed. Falling at speeds that can top 100 mph, hail has been known to wreak havoc on cars, roofs, and even windows. While it can be easy to assume that your auto or home insurance covers this cold menace, the truth is that not all do. Considering that a single hail dent can cost over $100 to repair, it is extremely important to ensure that you are covered from this costly event. 

Get out side

Spring in Texas is a wonderful time of year. The mornings are cool, the afternoons are breezy, and the flowers are plentiful. Although the threat of thunderstorms can arise quickly, with some careful planning, you can safely avoid adverse weather. While the hot summer days are just around the corner, it’s certainly not too late to get out and enjoy our beautiful landscape. Whether you choose to take a stroll through Zilker Park, Kayak down the Colorado River, or hike Enchanted Rock, the beauties of spring will almost certainly delight you.