SAN ANTONIO -- Texas remains far ahead of other states when it comes to flood-related fatalities.
It's the only state to have at least one flood-related death every year, except 2011, a year of severe drought.
An area spanning from Dallas to San Antonio is even known by researchers as Flash Flood Alley.
"Flash Flood Alley is very well known worldwide actually. It's one of the most flash flood prone areaa in the world," says Hatim Sharif, a UTSA Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Sharif studies why Texas floods are so deadly.
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He said faults and changes in elevation, combined with fast growing cities, create a funnel for storm water leading to rapidly rising creeks and streams, plus flooding low lying roads.
"It's very hard to have structural solution because you have thousands of low water crossing in the area," explained Sharif.
In the last 50 years, more than 900 people have died in floods in Texas.
The next closest state -- Pennsylvania -- had fewer than 300 deaths.
Unlike in other states, Sharif says most flood-related deaths in Texas can be avoided.
"Most people die as a result of driving into flood water," said Sharif.
Taking the advice to "Turn Around, Don't Drown," he says, could have saved more than 70 percent of lives lost.
Sharif also admits repeated storms could make people less cautious. He said it's important to take every alert very seriously.
Even the smallest amount of rain could lead to big problems in our part of the state.