Updated 2:30 p.m. May 19
An update from the San Jacinto River Authority on May 19 stated the water release from Lake Conroe was decreased to 8,050 cubic feet per second at noon. As of 2:30 p.m., the lake level was at 201.77 feet.
The National Weather Service reported as of 1 p.m. the San Jacinto River East Fork near New Caney was at a level of 64.99 feet and decreasing, after reaching as level as high as 67.79 feet on Saturday afternoon, which is considered within the moderate flood stage.
Updated 10:20 a.m. May 18
The San Jacinto River Authority announced on May 18 that as of 8:30 a.m. Lake Conroe had reopened to normal lake traffic and activities, but it urged "extreme caution" for boaters due to the possibility of floating debris and submerged objects.
"With submerged bulkheads, lake area residents should also be cautious of electrical outlets and equipment coming into contact with water," according to the SJRA statement.
As of 10:20 a.m. May 18, the level of Lake Conroe was 202.57 feet, and water releases were still at 10,875 cubic feet per second, the same as the previous day.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough urged county residents affected by flooding to register for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance following approval of a federal disaster declaration for Texas.
Updated 3:25 p.m. May 17
San Jacinto River Authority officials announced the closure of Lake Conroe in a May 17 news release following upstream rainfall and rising lake levels.
According to the SJRA, lake levels are at 202.86 feet, while normal pool is 201 feet, prompting the closure of Lake Conroe to the public starting at 5 p.m.
To mitigate rising levels, water releases from the Lake Conroe Dam have also risen to 10,875 cubic feet per second.
Posted 12:21 p.m. May 17
While Montgomery County did not experience the expected long-term power outages and damage reported in downtown Houston after the May 16 storm, on May 17 officials were monitoring water release and lake levels as well as power restoration efforts following the regional weather event.
The conditions
As of morning updates on May 17, energy company Entergy, which serves a large portion of the Montgomery County area, reported at 9:30 a.m. that power had been restored to more than 66% of customers overnight. As of 11:30 a.m. the Entergy outage map showed outages concentrated north of Hwy. 105 with an estimated restoration time of 10 p.m.
CenterPoint, which serves other parts of the region, including Harris County, was grappling with longer-term outages on the morning of May 17, according to a press conference with Harris County Judge Lina HIdalgo, who said outages were down from 930,000 to 740,000 customers.
Jason Millsaps, director of emergency management for Montgomery County, said just before noon on May 17 Harris County had not yet requested aid from Montgomery County, but it is ready to respond with resources on standby.
He said power across Montgomery County should be restored by the end of the day, aside from areas served by CenterPoint.
The village of Creekside Park in The Woodlands, located within Harris County, is served by CenterPoint.
What we know
According to the San Jacinto River Authority, as of an 8:15 a.m. update, Lake Conroe was releasing 8,090 cubic feet of water per second, and at noon that number remained the same. The lake level at noon was 202.75 feet, a slight increase from earlier in the morning.
"Lake Conroe will continue to pass through storm water and runoff received in the Upper San Jacinto River Basin until Lake Conroe returns to conservation pool," according to a news release from the SJRA, referring to its standard lake level of 201 feet.
Meanwhile, Lake Houston sat at 43.14 feet—above its normal level of 42.4 feet—and was discharging water over the spillway, according to information from the city of Houston relayed by the SJRA.
The National Weather Service reported a flood warning in the San Jacinto River East Fork near New Caney at 11 a.m. with the minor flood stage at 58 feet. According to the NWS, it was expected to increase and crest on Sunday morning, May 19, at 62.8 feet, which is within the moderate flood stage.
What they're saying
"I have spoken with Walker County Judge Colt Christian, Harris County Judge Lina Hildago and city of Houston Mayor John Whitmire to check on them after this storm and offer assistance if needed," said Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough. "At this time they are assessing damages and are good on resources. As Texans we are in these events together, and we stand ready to help our neighbors if called upon. My office remains in contact with state and local officials from the region, and we are monitoring the runoff from this rain event for any affects it may cause in our rivers and streams later tonight and tomorrow."
