The worst flooding in Hawaii in over two decades has prompted urgent evacuations for thousands of residents as officials warn that a 120-year-old dam may fail. Heavy rains have caused the Wahiawa Dam on Oahu to rise from 79 feet to 84 feet before receding slightly, with emergency sirens blaring along the North Shore and muddy floodwaters damaging homes and inundating streets.
Key Takeaways
Hawaii faces its worst flooding in over two decades, prompting urgent evacuations for thousands as a 120-year-old dam risks failure. Heavy rains caused widespread damage, with over 230 rescues and power outages affecting more than 2,000 people.
- Over 5,500 residents evacuated due to flooding and potential dam failure
- More than 230 rescued from floodwaters; ten hospitalized for hypothermia
- Power outages affect over 2,000 people across Oahu and Maui County
- Governor estimates storm damage could exceed $1 billion
- Additional rain expected through the weekend, though worst storms appear to have passed
Honolulu officials issued 'LEAVE NOW' evacuation orders early Friday morning for Waialua and Haleiwa, affecting nearly 5,500 people. The National Weather Service reported widespread life-threatening flash flooding in the area. Governor Josh Green described chest-high floodwaters and warned of a 'touch-and-go day,' with emergency services struggling to reach all affected residents due to flooded roads.
The Hawaii National Guard has been activated, and shelters have been set up at Waialua High and Intermediate School, Wahiawa District Park, Nānākuli High and Intermediate, and Kahuku Elementary. Officials have been monitoring dam levels since a storm last week caused catastrophic flooding across the state. The current storm is expected to bring more rain through the weekend.
Governor Green stated that the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, homes, and a Maui hospital in Kula. Rescue efforts have included airlifting 72 children and adults from a spring break youth camp at Our Lady of Kea’au on Oahu’s west coast. Over 230 people were rescued due to the flooding, with about ten hospitalized for hypothermia.
More than 2,000 people remained without power Sunday afternoon as crews work to restore electricity and assess damage. Hawaiian Electric Co. reported restoring power to about 1,200 people in Waialua by Sunday afternoon and expected to return service to another 2,000 later that day. In Maui County, around 100 people were without power.
Meteorologist Matthew Foster noted that the worst of the storms appeared to be over by Sunday afternoon, with weather shifting from widespread showers to scattered rain. Less than 5 inches of rain was expected for Hawaii Island, and between 1 to 2 inches in other areas. Additional flooding could still occur but on an isolated scale rather than widespread.
Assessment crews continued to evaluate the damage through at least Monday, with Governor Green emphasizing the extensive impact of the floods. The intensity and frequency of heavy rains in Hawaii have increased amid human-caused global warming, according to experts.
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