MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas – Montgomery County is preparing for Tropical Storm Edouard, with schools closing, government offices shutting down and emergency management crews staying overnight as the county braces for potential flooding.
Despite limited storm activity so far, residents say they are staying prepared.
“We’re going to have food and we’ll be able to use the generator in case the lights go out. So we’re prepared as much as necessary. Hopefully it won’t last too long,” said Conroe resident Dianne Riles.
Conroe ISD and Willis ISD are among the school districts in Montgomery County canceling classes Wednesday. Several government offices are also closing ahead of the storm.
Resident Devin Grady said the school closures were the right call.
“I feel like we’re getting worse ones (storms), you know, but it’s better to be safe,” Grady said.
At the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Executive Director Jason Millsaps says crews have been mobilizing since the storm’s approach became clear.
“We started getting our equipment out, making sure it’s fueled up, ready to go, that it’s in working order, and making sure we had enough adequate staff across our public safety sectors to work that equipment. And then coordinating with our state partners to bring in boat crews and additional resources just in case we did see some significant flooding with this tropical storm,” Millsaps said.
Millsaps says the biggest concern with tropical systems is high water, especially from feeder bands that can drop heavy rain on small areas for extended periods, even overnight when residents are sleeping.
“When you get out the next morning, you’re going to work, obviously some of the kids aren’t in school, but if you’re out driving, finding a place to eat or going for a walk, don’t drive in high water. Just because you think it’s not high, it could be very high. They could have seen a lot of rain if one of those bands trained over that area all night long,” Millsaps said.
The county has barricades on standby throughout the area, ready to be deployed at flood-prone locations.
Riles said she hopes the storm brings some much-needed rain, just not too much.
“I just hope everybody is safe, everybody’s prepared, and that we’ll get through it,” she said. “My yard needs the rain bad.”
Officials are reminding residents of the most important rule when encountering flooded roads: turn around, don’t drown.
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