Arlington Public Works Announces 2025 Turn Around, Don’t Drown Winners

Published on November 19, 2025

By Melissa Walker, Environmental Education Specialist

The City of Arlington congratulates our 2025 Turn Around Don’t Drown Art Contest winners: Grand Prize- Sofia McDowell, 5^th Grade-Alexandra Mendoza, 4^th Grade- Daniel Mora and 3^rd Grade-Kelly Hernandez. These students provided staff with remarkable pictures that demonstrated their understanding of the dangers of floodwaters.  

Our winners and their families ask everyone to make time to discuss personal safety with your family, friends or coworkers. Being prepared for emergencies can reduce stress and anxiety during a flood event. You should assemble a 3-day emergency supply kit, first aid kit, develop a communication plan and designate a meeting place in case of evacuation. Know the difference between a flood watch and a flood warning and follow these simple rules to keep everyone safe during a flood.

• Don’t walk, swim, bike or drive through flooded roadways. Turn Around Don’t Drown™
• Never drive around a barricade
• Keep away from downed power lines or other electrical wires
• Stay away from streambanks in flooded or recently flooded areas
• Watch out for local wildlife trying to escape floodwaters.
• Visit www.arlingtontx.gov/floodsafety or www.floodsmart.gov for more ideas on protecting your family, home and property. 

Spread awareness by having your 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grade kids enter the Turn Around Don’t Drown Art Contest!

The 2026 Turn Around Don’t Drown Art Contest is starting early this year. Beginning Wednesday, November 19^th, City staff will be accepting entries into our annual Turn Around Don’t Drown Art Contest. Every year the Department of Public Works’ Stormwater Management team provides an opportunity for elementary school students in 3^rd, 4^th and 5^th grades to show their creativity and artistic skills by illustrating the dangers of driving, riding a bike or walking through flooded roadways.  

The guidelines for the Art Contest are as follows:

• 8 ½” by 11” paper, brightly colored with crayons, map pencils or markers.
• Landscape orientation
• Must encourage people to turn around and not drive, walk, or bike through flooded roadways
• Title should be “Turn Around, Don’t Drown”
• Submit to the Public Works Department’s Stormwater Education Specialist, Melissa Walker by Friday January 30, 2026.  

Submitting Artwork

• Entries can be dropped off at Arlington City Hall 2^nd floor Public Works Department’s receptionist desk at 101 W. Abram St.   Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. 
• Mail entries to Public Works Department, Attn: Melissa Walker, 101 W. Abram St.,   P.O. Box 90231 MS 01-0220, Arlington, TX 76004
• Remember entries must be received by Friday January 30^th, 2026.

All entries must include the following information on the back of the drawing:

• Child’s name and age
• Parent’s or guardian’s name, phone number, address, and email
• School and teacher’s name, phone number and email

Teachers:  If you would like a Journey Through the Storm Drain/Turn Around Don’t Drown presentation prior your students entering the contest please contact Melissa Walker at 817-459-6572 or send an email to Melissa.Walker@arlingtontx.gov.