CONROE, Texas — There’s flooding downriver from Lake Conroe thanks to a release of water from the dam, a necessity to protect its integrity.
Rescue crews in boats evacuated about a dozen people from homes west of Conroe Wednesday afternoon. They live on Steve Owens Road, which is impassable, and their homes are in danger of flooding.
"So, as of right now, we’ve rescued about 11 adults, one infant, five dogs, and one horse," Jason Smith with the Montgomery County judge's office told us. "Another one didn’t want to be caught, but we were able to get it to an area of high ground to ride out the rain."
Several people didn't want to leave but officials said they'd keep tabs on them through this evening and overnight.
“We expect the water to keep rising tonight as the rain does continue to pour – things are underwater – the homes are not underwater yet, but they likely will be as the night progresses," Smith said.
A portion of FM 2854 was closed temporarily during the rescues but it has since reopened.
Nearby McDade Park is inundated but it's designed to flood during heavy rains.
Evelyn has lived in Conroe's McDade Estates for more than 20 years. She's no stranger to the flooding dangers.
"We're still recovering from Harvey ... during Harvey, we got three feet in the house," she said.
The San Jacinto River near Kingwood also rose rapidly after the Lake Conroe release. A parking lot near the old 59 bridge flooded but we hadn't heard of any structures flooding at last check.
Residents are aware of the release at Lake Conroe.
"If they would just maintain what they're releasing now and not increase anymore, then we're pretty confident we'll be alright," Evelyn said.
Montgomery County's emergency operation center will remain active overnight and the area is under a Flood Watch until noon Thursday.