On Monday, April 18, 2016 historic flooding hit Houston and KPRC2’s news team stepped up to help keep viewers safe and informed. In spite of significant logistical challenges, including a power outage and generator failure, KPRC2 anchors and reporters utilized various platforms to get critical information to viewers as the flood disaster unfolded. Reporters and photojournalists teamed up to produce numerous Facebook Live videos as well as sending out photos, videos and lifesaving information via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat as well as through frequent posts on Click2Houston.com.
Team coverage of the event continued for several days, as Chief Meteorologist Frank Billingsley and the KPRC2 Severe Weather Team monitored the threat of additional rain and rising flood waters. Reporters brought awareness to areas of concern, mandatory evacuations, traffic delays, property damage and the emotional impact resulting from loss of life and relief efforts to help those who had lost so much.
KPRC2 then went beyond news coverage to help the people in our community recover from the disaster, raising much-needed funds for the American Red Cross. Through a two-day phone bank heavily covered by the station and hosted inside KPRC2 studios, more than $670,000 and counting was raised via pledges from individuals and businesses to directly help Houston flood victims. KPRC2 has teamed up with Kroger stores to continue accepting donations for Red Cross flood relief. Viewers may donate their spare change at the checkout counter at any Houston area Kroger location.