'Devastation on people’s eyes': Walle recalls destructive 2001 tropical storm Allison

Last week marked 20 years since Tropical Storm Allison touched down and caused massive devastation to Houston and the surrounding regions.

On June 5, 2001, Tropical Storm Allison inundated Houston and Texas, killing 23 people and causing $5 billion in damage, according to ABC 13 News. Allison was actually considered short-hand for a powerful rain event until Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

"I was a lowly staffer in former Rep. Gene Green’s DO. TS Allison hit and right afterward he and I went door-to-door checking on people," State Rep. Armando Walle (D-Houston) wrote in a June 5 Twitter post. "Handing out FEMA flyers in English and Spanish. The zombie look of devastation on people’s eyes as they pulled soiled carpet was searing."

After the storm made landfall in Houston, it made its way north only to return to the city four days later.

The unprecedented tropical storm flooded Houston with more than three feet of rain in some areas and was an example how storms don't have to be classified as hurricanes to inflict serious amounts of damage, according to the Harris County Flood District.

"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," Heather Saucier of the Harris County Flood Control District told ABC 13 News.

Allison was was the costliest tropical storm in U.S. history.

Allison flooded 73,000 Houston residences, with some homes being completely destroyed and more than 2,800 homes experienced damage 50% or greater than the home's pre-flood value, not including land.

Damage to the City of Houston is estimated to be close to $80 million and the city spent more than $53 million to repair city-owned facilities.

The storm caused approximately $40.5 million in damages to Harris County’s facilities.