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Pool Era field notes · Care and ownership

After a Hill Country Storm: Debris, Runoff and Cloudy Water

Did a storm leave your pool cloudy, muddy or full of leaves? Hill Country rain comes hard and fast, and runoff can carry soil and fine rock dust straight into the water.

Here is what to check first, and how to get the water clear again.

By the Pool Era teamUpdated October 25, 2026Sources due for re-check April 2027How we research and fact-check

Short answer

Safety first, then filter.

Wait until the storm has passed. CDC says to go inside if you hear thunder or see lightning.[1] Check the equipment for water damage before you turn it on. Then scoop out the debris, run the filter, test and balance the water, and brush. If floodwater got into the pool, keep everyone out until it has been cleaned.

Why

Why storms hit pools hard here.

The National Weather Service says the Austin area sits in a region known as Flash Flood Alley, with a history of severe flash floods.[2] Big rains can fall in a few hours.

Texas A&M Forest Service says most of the Edwards Plateau has thin clay or clay loam over limestone.[3] When runoff crosses that ground, it can carry fine clay and rock dust into the pool. Those tiny particles make water look milky and can take days of filtering to clear.

First

Check before you turn anything on.

Lightning. Stay out of the pool and away from the pad until the storm has passed.
Water at the pad. If water covered the pump, heater, timer or panel, do not switch it on. The Electrical Safety Foundation says water-damaged electrical equipment should be checked by a qualified electrician, and that turning power back on without a check could cause a fire, shock or electrocution.[4]
Floodwater in the pool. CDC says flood water may contain sewage, and to keep children and pets out of affected areas until cleanup is done.[5]
Trees and fences. Look for broken limbs over the pool and damage to the fence or gates.

What you see

Match the water to the fix.

After a storm: what you see and what to try first
What you see	Likely cause	First step
Leaves, twigs, bugs	Wind and runoff	Skim, empty baskets, then run the filter.
Milky or tan water	Fine clay or rock dust from runoff	Run the filter longer. Clean or backwash it as it loads up. Ask about a clarifier.
Green tint	Chlorine used up by debris and rain	Test, balance pH, then raise chlorine. Brush.
Water over the skimmer	Heavy rain	Lower it to mid-skimmer if your system allows. Check your local rules on where it can drain.
Mud on the floor	Runoff or a flood	Let it settle, then vacuum to waste if you can.

Clearing it

Getting the water clear.

Remove leaves and debris first, so they stop using up chlorine.
Run the pump and filter longer than usual until the water clears.
Test and balance. CDC recommends a pH of 7.0 to 7.8 and free chlorine of at least 1 ppm, or 2 ppm with stabilizer.[6]
Brush the walls and floor so fine dust gets back into the water and reaches the filter.
Watch the filter pressure. Fine clay can clog a filter fast.

Field note. Fine, milky water after Hill Country runoff often clears slowly even when the chemistry looks right. Patience and a clean filter usually do more than extra chemicals.

Common questions

Storm questions.

Why is my pool cloudy after rain?

Rain and runoff bring in dirt, fine clay and debris, and they dilute and use up chlorine. Here, runoff can also carry fine limestone and clay dust, which makes water milky.

Should I drain my pool after heavy rain?

Usually not all the way. If the water is above the skimmer, lowering it to mid-skimmer is often enough. Draining a pool fully can cause other problems, so ask a pool pro first.

Should I shock my pool after a storm?

Test first. Remove the debris, balance the pH, then bring chlorine back up. CDC recommends at least 1 ppm free chlorine, or 2 ppm with stabilizer.[6]

Is it OK to swim right after a storm?

Wait until there is no thunder or lightning and the water tests in range. CDC says to go inside if you hear thunder.[1]

What if floodwater got into my pool?

Keep everyone out. CDC says flood water may contain sewage.[5] Call a pool pro to drain, clean and restart the pool, and have an electrician check any equipment that was under water.

Need a hand

When it is more than leaves.

If floodwater, mud or a damaged pad is involved, have the pool and equipment looked at before you restart. Every storm is different, and so is every site.

Ask about pool care

More field notes

Sources

Where these facts come from

Sources checked October 25, 2026. Rules, fees and water stages change; check the source before you rely on a number.

Who wrote this

Pool Era team. Pool Era builds, refinishes and cares for pools in the Texas Hill Country, and the founder supervises the work on site. We write field notes from public agency, trade group and maker sources, cited on the page, plus what we see on local jobs.

Sources checked October 25, 2026. Next scheduled check: April 2027. Spot an error? Tell us and we can check it against the source. Our editorial standards

Before you rely on this. This field note is general information, not professional, engineering or legal advice. Every pool and every site is different. What Pool Era does on your project, how and with what warranty, is only what your written agreement says. Local codes and HOA rules change, so check with your city, county or HOA before you rely on anything here. Website terms

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