HOUSTON — Tropical Storm Allison formed on June 4, 2001, and made its first landfall the following day. The storm moved back over Houston on June 9, 2001, four days after its initial landfall, unleashing catastrophic flooding across the region.
Allison caused 23 deaths in Texas and inflicted $5 billion in damage. More than 70,000 homes in the Houston area were damaged or destroyed, and 30,000 people required emergency shelter in the storm's aftermath. Houston freeways became filled with abandoned and useless vehicles as floodwaters overwhelmed the city’s infrastructure.
Rainfall from the storm reached 36 inches at the location of the Soldiers of the Cross Church compound, which sat just off the Eastex Freeway and was destroyed by flooding. In nearby areas stretching from the Houston Ship Channel to FM 1960, rainfall measured 20 inches. The Alley Theater in downtown Houston was also ruined by floodwaters.
“That night, Allison, ooohhh, all of our families had to rescue the elderly from water, carrying our kids,” said Pastor Joel Mondejar. “It was like a big lake, and just half of the house you can see,” he added. “The answer was a lot better place,” Mondejar said.
In response to the devastation, the Soldiers of the Cross Church purchased 40 acres of land in Kingwood after the storm and relocated there. The Harris County Flood Control District later bought out 245 properties in the neighborhood where the church had been located as part of a flood control project. Heather Saucier said, “I think it equates to 32 trillion gallons of water, which I understand is enough to meet the United States' water supply for a year.”
Since Tropical Storm Allison, the Harris County Flood Control District has spent at least $1.5 billion on bayou widening and storm preparedness. Houston’s population has grown by 1.1 million residents since the 2001 disaster.