Montgomery County officials urge action as flash floods, dam release increase

Lake Conroe dam release levels are now hovering around 70,000 cubic feet per second following severe rainfall across the region. Shelters have been opened across the county to assist in residents who may be displaced due to flooding.

As a result of the storms, a number of schools have also announced closures for May 3 as additional rainfall across the region is expected overnight.

Lake levels are now at 205.1 feet with water release at 69,545 cfs.

Updated May 2, 11:55 a.m.

The Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management announced in a Facebook post shortly before noon that the west fork of the San Jacinto River is expected to flood, and residents downstream should "immediately begin evacuating to higher ground."

At the same time, Lake Conroe Dam releases have reached 66,100 cubic feet per second. The increased release rate came as a number of rivers within Montgomery County are expected to enter major flooding stage,

San Jacinto, West Fork (near Humble)

Current stage: 48.24 feet

Flood stage: 49.3 feet

Projected crest: 61.1 feet

San Jacinto, West Fork (near Conroe)

Current stage: 111.65 feet

Flood stage: 115.8 feet

Projected crest: 124.7 feet

San Jacinto, East Fork

Current stage: 65.84 feet

Flood stage: 58 feet

Projected crest: 78 feet

Lake Creek

Current stage: 137.55 feet

Flood stage: 138 feet

Projected crest: 143.3 feet

The Hyatt Regency in Conroe is providing rooms for families who need shelter for $120 per room, according to an update from County Judge Mark Keough. Additional county shelters will be opening soon, according to Keough's office, and he said in a Facebook post those will be free for residents.

Updated May 2, 10:13 a.m.

Lake Conroe dam releases have been increased to 60,455 cubic feet per second. In a Facebook post from Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough, he urged residents to "take immediate action" against high waters as downstream flooding is imminent.

According to the Harris County Flood Control District, the last record for a dam release was set in 2017 following Hurricane Harvey, during which dam water release peaked at 79,100 cfs and lake levels reached 206.2 feet.

Updated May 2, 9:38 a.m.

The San Jacinto River Authority has again increased water releases from Lake Conroe to 49,585 cubic feet per second. Lake levels were still rising, and as of the SJRA update the lake level was at 204 feet.

Posted May 2, 8:17 a.m.

Montgomery County officials are urging action for residents who live along the west fork of the San Jacinto River and south of Lake Conroe as overnight storms have caused flash flooding in northern parts of Southeast Texas leading to a doubling of water release from the Lake Conroe Dam.

What you need to know

In a social media post, Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough advised residents along the west fork of the San Jacinto River to begin taking advanced precautions regarding a flash flooding event that is moving towards Lake Conroe.

"If you live south of Lake Conroe along the West Fork San Jacinto River you need to be taking immediate action to get valuables to higher ground and take precautions to get to safety," Keough wrote in the post. "We do not yet know the extent of downstream flooding at this time but if you have flooded in the past and live along the West Fork take action now."

According to the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, areas north of Lake Conroe received up to 15 inches of rain overnight with more rainfall expected throughout the day. The San Jacinto River Authority announced the amount of water being released from Lake Conroe on May 2 nearly tripled to 30,045 cubic feet per second as lake levels sit at 203.3 feet. For comparison the normal max level of Lake Conroe is 201 feet.

What else?

River flooding is also occurring along both forks of the San Jacinto River, according to the National Weather Service.

San Jacinto, West Fork

Current stage: 47.49 feet

Flood stage: 49.3 feet

Projected crest: 49.3 feet

San Jacinto, East Fork

Current stage: 64.58 feet

Flood stage: 58 feet

Projected crest: 70.07 feet

Lake Creek

Current stage: 136.97 feet

Flood stage: 138 feet

Projected crest: 138.1 feet

Stay tuned

A number of school districts have already announced delays due to the weather moving through the area. Residents in flood prone areas are requested to take caution the rest of the day and monitor rainfall and flooding outlooks.