Remembering the Tax Day flood of 2016

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Sunday, April 18, 2021
Houstonians helping Houstonians
Looking back at the flooding across the Houston area, and how you all stepped up to help your neighbors in need.

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Tens of thousands of homes flooded, multiple people died and damage totaled millions of dollars across the Houston area in what was billed as the Tax Day flood of 2016.

The high water was the result of a massive amount of rain, almost 24 inches fell in 24 hours over some parts of the region, including Waller County.

More than a foot of rain fell on the west side of Houston, sending several creeks to record levels. The Addicks and Barker Reservoirs filled up to their highest levels on record at the time.

Our own Steve Campion helped rescue a flood victim from his vehicle on live TV. Nine people perished in the floods.

This driver found himself in a dangerous situation. Fortunately, Steve Campion was nearby.

Unfortunately, these records were broken just 16 months later when Hurricane Harvey dumped more than 36 inches of rain across most of Houston.

Watch the video above to see the compelling images and your stories from 2016's historic Tax Day flooding.

The Tax Day flood was one of three major flood events in as many years in the region, beginning with 2015's Memorial Day flood and Hurricane Harvey in 2017. It was the worst flooding since 2001's Tropical Storm Allison.