Judge John Gothia and the Orange County Office of Emergency Management issued a Declaration of Disaster for Orange County on Thursday.

The declaration was issued in an abundance of caution for low areas and areas along the Neches and Sabine Rivers of Orange County.

County leaders are asking area residents to take the necessary precautions for potential flooding due to increased chances of heavy rain in the forecast.

“This heavy rain on top of the already flooded areas of the county could cause major threat of the occurrence of widespread and/or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property,” a release from Gothia stated.

“Citizens are urged to monitor the local weather stations due to the changing forecast and maintain situational awareness due to the severe weather that may cause flash flooding, damaging winds, large hail and isolated tornadoes.”