The Hays County seat sits right on the Balcones Fault, where Hill Country uplands drop to the coastal plains. Creeks such as Purgatory, Sink, Cottonwood and Willow Springs cut through town on their way to the river. That geography gives the city clear water and green parks, and it also means storm runoff from the hills arrives fast.
If your home has been damaged by water, fire or a storm, call (866) 937-3230. Fire & Water Energy is a referral service; we try to put you in touch with an independent restoration contractor that serves San Marcos, Kyle, New Braunfels and nearby areas. We don't do the work ourselves and can't promise when a provider will be free. Our how it works explainer and referral disclosure set out what a referral from us includes and what it doesn't.
Flash flood country along the Balcones Fault
Flooding is part of local history from the start: an 1808 flood drove early settlers from their homes. In more recent memory, the Blanco River rose more than 30 feet in under three hours at Wimberley before dawn on May 24, 2015. Hays County lost 321 homes in that flood, including houses in Wimberley and San Marcos. On October 30 of the same year, another flood closed the I-35 bridge over the Blanco for the second time that year.
Average rainfall is about 36.5 inches, but intense bursts matter more than the total. FEMA has included Hays County in declarations for flooding in 2002, 2013, 2015 (twice) and 2024, as well as Hurricane Rita (2005), the 2006 Extreme Wildfire Threat and winter storms in 2021 and 2023.
Leaks in student rentals, older homes and new builds
Texas State University's campus runs along the river, and more than a third of local households are one person. In apartments and shared rentals, a leak can spread between units before anyone reports it. Around the 1851 downtown square and the city's historic districts, older homes may have aging pipes and plaster. Freezes are uncommon but severe when they come; the record low is −2°F, and the 2021 and 2023 winter storms both brought FEMA declarations.
Professional water damage restoration in San Marcos usually means stopping the source, extracting water, tracking moisture with meters, removing ruined materials and drying until readings normalize. Renters should notify the landlord promptly. Both water damage restoration and emergency water removal are described on our service pages.
Federal disaster declarations that included Hays County
FEMA records show Hays County was included in 9 major disaster declarations for weather or fire events from 2000 through 2026 (3 severe storm, 2 flood, 1 winter storm, 1 severe ice storm, 1 fire, 1 hurricane, by FEMA incident type). Declarations are made at the county level, so they do not mean every neighborhood in San Marcos was affected. The most recent:
- 2024 – Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4781)
- 2023 – Severe Winter Storm (DR-4705)
- 2021 – Severe Winter Storms (DR-4586)
- 2015 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds, and Flooding (DR-4245)
- 2015 – Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-line Winds and Flooding (DR-4223)
- 2013 – Severe Storms and Flooding (DR-4159)
Source: OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations Summaries, retrieved 2026-10-10. Counts include major disaster (DR) declarations with hurricane, flood, severe storm, tropical storm, fire, tornado, coastal storm, winter or ice storm, mudslide and dam/levee incident types.
Water, fire or storm damage in San Marcos?
Call (866) 937-3230 and tell us what happened at your San Marcos property.
Fire and smoke cleanup in Hays County
Hot, dry summers, with a record high of 111°F, dry out grass and brush on the Hill Country side of the fault, and Hays County was named in the 2006 Extreme Wildfire Threat declaration. Inside the home, kitchens, space heaters and electrical faults cause most fires, and in multi-unit buildings smoke can travel through shared walls and attics.
A reputable contractor will usually test the soot, clean surfaces in order, address HVAC systems and use deodorization methods matched to the type of fire. Our smoke damage cleanup page explains the work.
Recovering when the Blanco or local creeks rise
River and creek floodwater is Category 3, carrying sewage, soil and chemicals. Expect a contractor to remove soaked carpet, pad, insulation and lower drywall, then clean, disinfect and dry framing and subfloors. Mud left behind should be removed before drying starts.
Severe storms with straight-line winds and tornadoes, like those in the 2024 declaration, add roof damage and fallen trees to the mix. Learn more on the flood cleanup and storm water damage restoration pages.
Humid summers and mold growth
Summers here are hot and humid, so wet drywall, carpet and wood can sprout mold within a day or two, particularly in closed-up rentals or after floodwater. Bathrooms without good ventilation and closets on exterior walls are common trouble spots.
EPA guidance suggests homeowners can usually clean mold areas smaller than about 10 square feet after fixing the moisture source. Anything larger, or growth tied to floodwater, warrants professional mold remediation.
Safety checklist for San Marcos households
- Call 911 for injuries, fire, a gas odor or people stranded by water.
- Register with WarnCentralTexas for emergency alerts covering Hays County.
- Heed flash flood warnings at night; the 2015 Blanco flood rose in a few hours before dawn.
- Never cross flooded low-water crossings on foot or by car.
- Turn off water at the main for plumbing leaks, and avoid wet electrical outlets.
- Photograph everything before cleanup, and ask your insurer or agent about coverage. Renters should also check their own renter's policy.
Neighborhoods and nearby communities
Areas in and around San Marcos that callers often mention include:
- Hays County Courthouse Historic District
Nearby communities with their own pages (straight-line distance from San Marcos):
San Marcos restoration FAQs
How fast can the Blanco River flood?
Very fast. On May 24, 2015, it rose more than 30 feet in less than three hours at Wimberley, upstream of San Marcos. Take flash flood warnings seriously, especially overnight.
I rent near campus. Who handles water damage?
Tell your landlord or property manager right away, in writing if possible. Building repairs are usually the owner's responsibility, while your own belongings may fall under a renter's policy if you have one.
How do San Marcos residents get Hays County emergency alerts?
WarnCentralTexas, run by the Capital Area Council of Governments, sends alerts by phone, text or email for Hays County and nine other counties, including evacuation and shelter information.
Do you also take calls from Kyle and New Braunfels?
Yes. We try to connect callers in nearby cities with independent contractors who work there. After a widespread flood, contractors throughout the corridor between Austin and San Antonio can be stretched thin.
Restoration guides
- Flood Cleanup
- Storm Water Damage Restoration
- Water Damage Restoration
- Emergency Water Removal
- Smoke Damage Cleanup
- Mold Remediation