CONROE, Texas – As freezing rain and dangerously cold temperatures move toward Montgomery County ahead of much of Southeast Texas, the county’s rapid growth since the 2021 winter freeze is shaping how officials and residents prepare.
For many people who now call Montgomery County home, this will be their first major winter storm in the area.
“We’ve been here about a year and a half and since then it has really expanded,” said resident Dale Beukelman.
New residents, new concerns
Beukelman is one of thousands of residents who have moved to the county in recent years, adding to the challenges local leaders face as freezing rain and single-digit temperatures are expected.
“I hope that as far as the shelters, I think everybody can find a place to stay warm and find food is a big thing right now,” Beukelman said.
County leaders prepare using lessons from the past
County officials say they began preparing early, using lessons learned from the 2021 winter freeze. Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough said emergency planners are already working through multiple scenarios.
“We are on our game ahead of schedule. We’ve got our people in place and planners already working through scenarios,” Judge Keough said.
Warming centers, road treatment, and help for pets
Those preparations include warming centers, road treatment, and assistance for pets. Free crates and blankets are currently available at the county animal shelter.
Improved communication since the 2021 freeze
Judge Keough said one of the most significant changes since the 2021 freeze has been improvements in communication.
“They couldn’t have a straight line between what was going on in the main office and what was out in the streets. I couldn’t get accurate information,” Judge Keough said.
He said new systems now allow for clearer, more immediate updates during emergencies.
“Now, we can have accurate information and I’ll be able to look every day during this. In the event that we do have power outages and be able to see which ones are on, which ones off and be to address that immediately,” Judge Keough said.
Rapid growth raises the stakes
Those improvements come as Montgomery County continues to grow.
“This place has grown to almost 200,000 people,” Judge Keough said.
That growth, he said, makes preparation especially urgent as freezing rain arrives before much of the region.
Urgency ahead of freezing rain and extreme cold
“That’s why right now, people need to be preparing right now for this,” Judge Keough said.
With dangerously cold temperatures expected, Judge Keough said residents should take the forecast seriously.
“The freezing rain is going to hit us and you’re going to have single-digit temperatures, which is a problem,” he said.
Officials urge residents to prepare and stay informed
County officials are urging residents to stay home if possible, protect pipes, plants, and pets, and follow official updates online. Judge Keough said he will continue posting information on his Facebook page.