Hundreds of structures damaged and up to 10 people injured in Montgomery County tornado

Montgomery County Judge issued a disaster declaration following Saturday’s storm.

CONROE, Texas — The Montgomery County judge issued a disaster declaration after strong storms damaged hundreds of buildings and injured up to ten people Saturday.

Judge Mark Keough made the declaration after it was confirmed an EF-3 tornado landed in the Porter Heights area. Wind speeds were recorded between 135 to 165 miles per hour.

In one of the hardest hit areas, a volunteer group spent Sunday helping residents clean up.

“This is bad, but people will recover,” said Terri Hackl with On Point Rescue, a recovery organization based in Splendora. “This community is tight,”

Hackl says she received a call from Montgomery County Constable Rowdy Hayden asking them to help in affected areas including New Caney and Porter.

“Our intention is to never step on first responder or law enforcement’s shoes,” Hackl said. “We wait and they call us. We’re glad to step in any way we can.”

The volunteers weren’t the only ones at work. Entergy and other utility contractors were on the westbound side of FM 1314 repairing damaged power lines.

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The Montgomery County Office of Emergency Management says crews are working to restore power to impacted homes as soon as possible.

Groups like On Point Rescue said they are here to help residents physically and emotionally recover after experiencing severe weather.

“These people out here are really hurting, and the ones I’m talking to, most of them don’t have any insurance, and this is their home,” Hackl said.

Montgomery County emergency officials say its crews and the Texas Department of Emergency Management will have crews assessing damage and informing residents about available assistance programs.

In all, Montgomery County officials said 302 structures had sustained damage, with about 30 of those structures being destroyed.

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