Evacuation Orders Issued Amid Severe Flooding
More than 4,000 residents in towns north of Honolulu have been ordered to evacuate due to severe flooding and the imminent failure of the 120-year-old Wahiawa dam. Honolulu officials issued an emergency alert at 5:35 a.m. on Friday, warning residents downstream of the dam to leave immediately as water levels rose dangerously high. "This is one of those circumstances where you can't take a risk about it," said Ryan Wilson, a spokesperson from the Oahu mayor's office.
Rising Waters Cause Damage
Muddy floodwaters have inundated streets and swallowed vehicles in the North Shore area, a region known for its surfing. Emergency sirens echoed across the community as rising waters threatened to trap residents. Firefighters and lifeguards are using jet skis to search for stranded individuals, according to Ian Scheuring, a spokesperson for Honolulu. There are reports indicating homes have been swept away.
Heavy Rainfall Leads to Catastrophic Conditions
The evacuation order follows heavy rain, with 8 to 12 inches falling overnight in parts of North Oahu. This deluge has led to catastrophic flooding that washed away roads and damaged infrastructure. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for all islands in Hawaii and a flash flood warning specifically for northern Oahu, labeling the conditions "extremely dangerous."
State Response and Shelters Activated
Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced the activation of the Hawaii National Guard to assist with the emergency response. "The storm of course is very severe right now, particularly on the northern part of Oahu," he said, describing floodwaters reaching chest height. Several shelters have been set up for evacuees, including at Waialua High and Intermediate School, which itself had to be evacuated due to flooding.
Community Concerns and Historical Context
Residents have voiced their fears about the aging Wahiawa dam, which has been a concern during heavy rains for years. Waialua resident Kathleen Pahinui expressed her anxiety, stating, "Just pray for us. We understand there's more rain coming." The state regulates 132 dams, most built for irrigation during the sugarcane era. In 2006, the collapse of the Ka Loko dam on Kauai resulted in seven fatalities, underscoring the potential dangers posed by aging infrastructure.
Ongoing Challenges in Evacuation
State Representative Amy Perruso said that emergency services are having trouble reaching people, and many residents' vehicles are under water. "There's no exit possibility for a lot of folks right now," she said, highlighting the isolation of some communities. The evacuation order covers more than 4,000 people, but the actual number may be higher as emergency services work to assess the situation.
Looking Ahead
As officials continue to monitor the dam levels, another storm is expected to bring additional rainfall through the weekend. The community remains on high alert as they face the dual threats of flooding and the potential dam failure. Evacuees are urged to seek higher ground and remain vigilant as the situation evolves.
For example, the sources report that some areas of North Oahu received between 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm) of rain overnight, leading to catastrophic flooding.