HONOLULU (AP) — Intense rains have flooded streets, pushed homes off their foundations, and forced thousands of people to evacuate in towns north of Honolulu. Officials are concerned about the potential failure of a 120-year-old dam.
On Friday morning, emergency sirens blared in Oahu’s North Shore. Residents were warned to leave areas downstream of the Wahiawa dam due to imminent danger. “We’re seeing homes being swept away,” said Ian Scheuring, a spokesperson for Honolulu.
So far, there have been no reports of fatalities, but rescue crews are searching through floodwaters for stranded individuals.
Officials have been monitoring the dam since last week, when heavy rains caused extensive flooding, damaging roads and homes. Although a weaker storm is expected this weekend, concerns remain high.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green stated that the Hawaii National Guard has been called to assist. He shared on social media that the flooding is severe, especially in northern Oahu, declaring it a “touch-and-go day.”
The National Weather Service reported that most of the state is under a flood watch. Areas like Haleiwa and Waialua face life-threatening flash floods.
One emergency shelter at Waialua High School had to be evacuated due to rising waters. Around 185 people and 50 pets were relocated to a safer center. “We got 8 to 12 inches of rain overnight in certain areas,” Scheuring noted.
Residents like Kathleen Pahinui expressed ongoing worries about the aging dam. “We just pray for safety. More rain is on the way,” she said as she prepared to leave for a safer location.
Molly Pierce from the Department of Emergency Management mentioned that over 4,000 individuals are affected by the evacuation order. While there were earlier warnings about the dam during heavy rain, the water levels had temporarily dropped.
State Senator Brenton Awa, who represents the North Shore, pointed out that the area has seen rapid development. Many locals are concerned about how this flooding will change their community further. “It’s not the North Shore I knew as a kid,” he said.
Hawaii regulates 132 dams, which were mostly built for irrigation during the sugar cane industry era, according to a 2019 report by the American Society of Civil Engineers. In a tragic event in 2006, a dam failure on Kauai resulted in seven fatalities.
As communities brace for more rain, the resilience of the people in these areas shines through, demonstrating the strength of community bonds in tough times.
For more on dam safety regulations and flood management, check out the American Society of Civil Engineers’ report.
