Publication Date April 19, 2016 | Weather Underground

Massive Flash Flood in Houston

United States
VIIRS infrared satellite imagery of the intense thunderstorms moving into the Houston area at 0835Z (3:35 am CDT) Monday, April 18, 2016. Image: RAMMB/Colorado State University and Suomi NPP
VIIRS infrared satellite imagery of the intense thunderstorms moving into the Houston area at 0835Z (3:35 am CDT) Monday, April 18, 2016. Image: RAMMB/Colorado State University and Suomi NPP

The morning deluge drew some comparisons to Tropical Storm Allison, which devastated Houston as it lingered over Texas for several days in June 2001. Allison’s total rains were far heavier than today’s, topping 30” in places. However, today's flood was "flashier" than Allison, with extremely heavy rains over a short period. As noted by Capital Weather Gang, the 9.92" of rain at Houston Intercontinental Airport as of 3 pm CDT is the second heaviest calendar-day amount since airport record-keeping began in 1969, behind only the 10.34" recorded on June 26, 1989, during the city's "first" Tropical Storm Allison. It is also the second highest calendar-day total for any official Houston location going back to 1889, although it pales next to the nation's astounding 24-hour rainfall record of 43", recorded in Alvin, just south of Houston, on July 25, 1979