A digital billboard, part of Clear Channel Outdoors’ Gulf Coast Emergency Communications Network, is seen along Interstate 45. The goal of the digital billboard networks is provide vital communications before, during and after a disaster. The company is partnering with cities and counties, at no cost, to support the effort.

Montgomery County commissioners gave their support to Clear Channel Outdoors for the company’s efforts to connect residents with vital information during natural or human-caused disasters.

According to Clear Channel Outdoors officials, the company is creating the Gulf Coast Emergency Communications Network with the goal to provide vital communications before, during and after a disaster via digital billboards at no cost to the county.

The court approved a resolution for the effort in a 4-1 vote. Precinct 3 Commissioner James Noack was absent from the meeting.

On yourcouriernews.com: Bakers’ Signs honored for work at Conroe veterans park

The company has two billboards in Montgomery County that have been up since June 6, said Executive Director of the county’s Office of Emergency Management and Homeland Security Jason Millsaps.

According to the Outdoor Advertising Association of Texas, Clear Channel Outdoor uses its network of digital billboard units to disseminate vital information for the public’s use at no cost to any governmental entity.

This partnership with the area’s emergency offices brings additional resources to their emergency operating plans.

In addition to natural disasters such as storms, the emergency network can also broadcast messages for other potential dangers including chemical leaks and or plant explosions, wildfires, terrorist attacks or outbreaks of infectious diseases, including preparedness messages for hurricane seasons.

“It has definitely driven up our office’s response from the public receiving communication and plans we pass out,” Millsaps said. “They are very highly visible to the public.”

Catherine Dominguez is a reporter at the Conroe Courier.

Instead of shutting down the program immediately, they let it fade away over the course of a year. A tidal wave of applicants has now rushed to seek billions of additional dollars in last-minute tax breaks.

By Eric Dexheimer and Mike Morris