HONOLULU (AP) — Hawaii is facing its worst flooding in over 20 years. Officials have warned residents in the most affected areas to evacuate immediately. This severe weather comes after heavy rains already soaked the region, leaving the ground saturated and more rain expected over the weekend.
The floodwaters have overwhelmed much of Oahu’s North Shore, a place famous for its big-wave surfing. This situation led to evacuation orders for about 5,500 people north of Honolulu. Authorities have raised concerns about a 120-year-old dam, which could be at risk of failing. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning, expecting showers to become heavier.
Governor Josh Green stated that the storm’s damage could exceed $1 billion, affecting airports, schools, roads, homes, and even a hospital in Kula.
Currently, most of the state is under a flood watch, with Haleiwa and Waialua facing significant risks. An emergency alert early Saturday urged Waialua residents to leave due to the potential failure of their only access road.
Green assured residents that the federal government would provide support after communicating with the White House.
So far, no deaths have been reported, but over 200 people have been rescued. Some campers at a youth retreat were airlifted to safety, and about 10 people were hospitalized for hypothermia.
This flooding is the most significant since 2004 when heavy rains caused major damage in Manoa. Local officials estimate that thousands of homes have been affected, but a complete assessment of the damage is still pending. Rainfall has been severe, with some areas receiving between 8 to 12 inches overnight, and the island’s highest point, Kaala, recording nearly 16 inches in a day.
Experts attribute the increasing frequency of such intense rain to human-induced climate change. The current wet conditions are primarily driven by “Kona lows,” weather systems that bring warm and moist air from the south.
As emergency crews monitor the aging Wahiawa dam, concerns continue. The dam’s water levels have fluctuated dangerously close to limits, raising alarms for nearby residents. Kathleen Pahinui, a local, expressed her worries, saying, “Just pray for us. We understand there’s more rain coming.”
The state designates the Wahiawa dam as high risk, meaning a failure could potentially lead to loss of lives. It was originally built in 1906 to support sugar production and has a history of safety issues, including a collapse in 1921. Following multiple warnings from the state, discussions are ongoing about transferring the dam’s ownership to ensure it meets safety standards.
In a recent report by the American Society of Civil Engineers, Hawaii has 132 dams, many of which were constructed for irrigation. The state has allocated funds for infrastructure improvements, which are essential for both safety and effective water management.
As the community grapples with the inundation, the need for sustainable solutions in infrastructure and disaster preparedness has never been clearer.
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Weather, Hawaii, General news, Josh Green, Honolulu, Floods, Dam and levee breaches, AP Top News, HI State Wire, Kathleen Pahinui, Ian Scheuring, Rick Blangiardi, U.S. news
