Houston and water—it’s a complicated relationship. Our city is familiar with the heavy rain that often transforms sunny streets into temporary rivers. While the occasional downpour is no sweat, flooding can quickly turn from a nuisance to a nightmare, especially when underestimated. This is where the now-ubiquitous “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” campaign comes in, a life-saving message with surprising Houstonian roots.

The Bayou City’s history with flooding is well-known. The flat topography, swampy terrain, and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico make the region susceptible to heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding. Over time, this has highlighted the need for effective public safety messages to protect residents and visitors. The “Turn Around” campaign was birthed from concern for the safety of people relocating to flood-prone areas, including Houston.

In the early 2000s, Hector Guerrero, a National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist stationed in Brownsville, noticed a troubling trend of residents being evacuated inland and seeking refuge in areas like Austin as hurricanes threatened the Texas Gulf Coast. Sadly, these seemingly safer havens also harbored hidden dangers of deadly flash floods. The urgency for an effective public safety campaign became glaringly apparent after several tragic incidents where Gulf Coast residents lost their lives trying to navigate flooded streets.

A focal moment that underscored this need was the catastrophic flooding from Tropical Storm Allison in 2001. The storm inundated the region—particularly Houston—with relentless rain, causing widespread damage and tragically claiming 41 lives, 22 of them in Houston. The storm also caused displacement of more than 30,000 locals, damage to 95,000 vehicles, and wreckage of 73,000 homes. The entire ordeal was a stark reminder of the dangers of underestimating floodwaters. This turning point emphasized the need for a clear, impactful message to educate the public about the perils of driving through flooded areas.

Guerrero and a team from the NWS, partnering with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, the Federal Alliance for Safe Homes, and the City of Fort Worth Fire Department along with emergency management officials and local firefighters, put together a public safety campaign specifically targeted at flood risks. Launched in 2003, its objective was to create a message that resonated with a broad audience, something simple yet impactful that would stick in people’s minds. Drawing inspiration from established safety slogans, they focused on crafting a clear call to action and landed on the now iconic “Turn Around, Don’t Drown.”

In the years since, the mantra has been ingrained in public safety messaging through signs, billboards, and advertisements, becoming part of the cultural zeitgeist and saving countless lives. Houston, the city that unwittingly played a role in the campaign’s birth, continues to grapple with its own unique flood challenges.

While the campaign is a great way to stay aware of the dangers that come with trying to brave floodwaters, it’s important to be educated on what to do in such situations.

How to avoid and navigate floodwaters

Even if you are familiar with the area, avoid driving through any flooded roads, period. Remember—we can’t say it enough!—turn around, don’t drown. Of course, sometimes rain catches us off guard when we’re already out and about. Here’s what to do when you find yourself in this situation.

• To decide whether you should drive through a floodwater puddle, even one that looks small, you need to gauge if it’s high enough to reach your exhaust pipe, which could cause damage to your car. It’s very difficult to know exactly how deep a puddle is. If you have even an ounce of doubt, don’t do it, especially if you drive a lower-lying sedan.
• If you’re in a flooded area, prioritize seeking higher ground immediately, as water can continue to rise. Wait the rain out in a dry spot, like a parking lot, and only go on your way once it has stopped raining and the water has gone down significantly.
• If your car is already surrounded by water, do not try to drive through it. Abandon the vehicle and get to safety.
• Avoid driving at night during heavy rainfall. It’s harder to see water on the road in the dark, and your risk of driving into floodwaters increases.
• Keep up with your local weather patterns and reports to be aware of potential downpours and flooded areas.