Montgomery County Judge Craig Doyal has made a local disaster declaration and submitted a request to Gov. Greg Abbott due to the potential for extensive flooding and damages to homes in Montgomery County from Hurricane Harvey. Doyal stated in a press release sent out Friday afternoon that the declaration ensures the county has a speedy recovery after Hurricane Harvey. "As our county prepares for Hurricane Harvey, I wanted to issue this declaration in advance, so that the county doesn't lose a step in obtaining any assistance it would normally be due," Doyal said. The Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management stated today that Montgomery County will start seeing rainfall beginning today and winds could increase as the day progresses. Rainfall predictions between Friday and Wednesday are between 15 and 25 inches for the Houston area and to the south. Abbott also issued a request Friday for a Presidential Disaster Declaration in anticipation of destruction from Hurricane Harvey. If the request is granted, the state would receive individual assistance, public assistance and hazard mitigation for the affected areas, according to a news release from the governor’s office.