PINEHURST, Texas – Residents in a Montgomery County neighborhood say they are growing increasingly concerned as repeated flooding continues to impact their community, leaving streets underwater, vehicles stranded and, at times, making their main entrance impassable.
Neighbors in the Decker Oaks Estates community near Highway 249 and Hardin Store Road told KPRC 2 the flooding has become more frequent over the past several years, even during relatively short periods of heavy rain.
“I mean, it’s just gotten really, really bad,” said homeowner and Decker Oaks Estates HOA President Stacy Moquin.
According to residents, it doesn’t take a major storm to create problems. They say as little as an inch of rain in about an hour can flood the entrance to the neighborhood, preventing many vehicles from getting through.
“You can’t get across,” resident Sean Roberts said. “People can’t get in and out. They literally can’t pick up their kids from school, go to work. If you’re not in a really large truck, you just cannot get through.”
Residents said the flooding has become significantly worse over the last four to five years. They believe drainage issues along Hardin Store Road, combined with continued growth and development in the surrounding area, have contributed to the worsening conditions.
According to Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley’s website, Hardin Store Road has been under reconstruction from Mill Creek to Decker Branch Bridge since last year.
Moquin said increased traffic using Hardin Store Road as a shortcut between The Woodlands and Tomball also creates challenges when the roadway floods.
“People are coming from The Woodlands trying to go to Tomball and they cut through here,” Moquin said.
With hurricane season underway, residents say their concerns extend beyond traffic delays.
“Homes flooding, us getting trapped,” Moquin said. “Because of drainage issues, we don’t know if there’s going to be any sewage backup, health concerns, safety concerns.”
When the neighborhood’s main entrance floods, residents said they are forced to use a secondary entrance, adding approximately 20 to 30 minutes to their commute. They also worry emergency responders could face delays reaching homes if flooding blocks the primary access point.
“It’s a safety hazard, a property hazard,” Roberts said.
Residents said they have repeatedly raised their concerns with county officials and have explored possible grants and funding opportunities to improve drainage, but they say they are still waiting for a permanent solution.
“I would like help,” Moquin said. “I’d like to get our drainage fixed in our neighborhood to keep our residents safe.”
Roberts echoed that sentiment.
“Fix it,” he said. “I think the county should step up and fix it.”
KPRC 2 reached out to Montgomery County Precinct 2 Commissioner Charlie Riley’s office to ask what is being done to address residents’ concerns and whether any drainage improvements are planned for the area.