After the tragic flooding in Kerrville and throughout the Texas Hill Country, and with hurricane season already underway, many in the Houston area are concerned about how prepared the region might be for another major flood, like that seen during Hurricane Beryl.
Preparation for another major storm has been a top priority for county leadership since Beryl, and according to Precinct 3 Commissioner Tom Ramsey, Harris County is as ready as it can be. He told KTRH, "When there's a storm in the Gulf, we go into disaster prep. We preposition assets and line crews out in the field."
But what's going on in Harris County is just one part of the equation. If we know anything, it's that what happens to one county in the Greater Houston Area will likely happen to the others. One of Harris County’s most important emergency response allies is its neighbors to the north in Montgomery County.
Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough also spoke with KTRH about storm readiness. He says they’ve gone out of their way to prepare for a major storm, and it’s paid off. According to Keough, "We know there’s going to be some kind of activity; all we can do is continue to train and plan. We have done that and have been very successful."
Both Keough and Ramsey emphasized how important it is for local leaders to take responsibility and plan ahead for emergency situations, as well as to clearly communicate with other leaders at the state and federal levels when disasters inevitably strike.