West of Loop 1604, a sunny afternoon can still hide water over the road. Medina County and western Bexar County use low-water crossings on farm-to-market roads. After a storm over the Hill Country, those dips fill fast. Turn Around, Don’t Drown is not a slogan for someone else.

Never drive into water you cannot see the bottom of. Six inches can stall a small car. A foot can float many passenger vehicles. Moving water hides washouts and debris. If you cannot see painted lines or the far bank clearly, stop, reverse if it is safe, and find another road.

Watch the sky upstream, not just overhead. A cell over Bandera or the Medina River watershed can send water downstream while Castroville still looks dry. If alerts mention flooding on US 90, FM 471, or FM 1957, delay the trip. Parents should not treat a flooded shortcut as a “learning moment.”

If water is already across the road and another driver is sitting in it, do not follow them. Call for help from high ground. If your own car stalls in rising water, seat belts off, windows down if they still work, and get to high ground — but the better plan is never entering.

Rhodes Driving Schools lessons on the west side include how to recognize a crossing, how to pick a turnaround point, and how to talk through “we are not crossing that.” Castroville drivers ed families do not need to drive into the city for that skill. Call (830) 931-6116 or any San Antonio office to schedule. Safer Roads with Rhodes.