Montgomery County Mom's Footage Of School Bus Crossing High Water Prompts Probe: VIDEO

MONTGOMERY, TX -- A mom's Facebook video purportedly showing her child's scary bus ride amid flooded streets has prompted an investigation by school officials, according to a published report.

The video is just 18 seconds, but harrowing. It shows high flood waters last Friday being traversed by the school bus, while uncharacteristically quiet students inside are silenced by the scary sight out their windows. "Holy crap," one youngster says quietly.

Karin Baker Williams, a mother of an eighth-grader at the Montgomery ISD, posted the cell phone footage on her Facebook page. Much of Texas has been hammered by severe weather that has left flooding in its wake, prompting Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to declare 31 counties as disaster areas this month.

In April, nine counties were declared disaster areas. Hardest hit by flooding last month was Houston, which got at least 17 inches of rain in a 24-hour period.

The heavy rains have heightened the urgency of emergency officials to remind people to "Turn Around, Don't Drown," a mantra meant to urge people not to attempt to cross over high water on the roadways after heavy rains.

The video appears to be a rebuke of that suggestion, and school officials have since launched an investigation, according to the Houston Chronicle newspaper.

"We are currently investigating the authenticity of the video as well as discussing the situation with parents and transportation personnel," school district officials told the Chronicle in a prepared statement. "Currently, our standard operating procedures for drivers in high water situations are: stop, observe traffic (any other vehicles crossing), can you see the road (stripes/markings), is the water less than 4 inches in depth, if not, then proceed and if the water does not cross the 1st step on the bus, the driver can continue across the low water area."

Officials noted a barometer of sorts used by bus drivers in determining whether or not to proceed, involving bus steps: "If the water comes across the first step, the driver is to stop and reverse course," officials said. "The safety and security of MISD students is always our number one concern and we will be reviewing practices and training procedures."

To watch the video, click here.