HONOLULU (AP) — Muddy floodwaters from severe rains inundated streets, pushed homes off their foundations, swallowed vehicles, and prompted evacuation orders for thousands of residents in towns north of Honolulu on Friday as officials warned of the possible failure of a 120-year-old dam.
Emergency sirens blared along Oahu’s North Shore, where rising waters damaged homes in a community world-renowned for its surfing. Honolulu officials told residents Friday morning to leave the area downstream of Wahiawa dam — long known to be vulnerable — saying it was “at risk of imminent failure.”
More than 230 people were rescued as heavy rains pummeled the Hawaiian island of Oahu and triggered the worst flooding the island has seen in 20 years, inflicting what Governor Green described as potentially over $1 billion in damages.
Water levels have been receding at the dam, which authorities warned could fail, but that could change if more rain falls. In less than 24 hours, water at the dam increased from 79 feet to 84 feet — just six feet shy of what it can handle, authorities noted.
No deaths were reported, but several individuals received treatment for hypothermia. Mayor Rick Blangiardi reported catastrophic damage with over 5,500 residents under evacuation orders.
Emergency services continue their efforts amid persisting rain, as forecasts indicated further storms may exacerbate the situation. As families evacuate, concerns grow for the aging dam, which has had its safety graded as “high hazard potential” due to historical failures and inadequate repairs. Ongoing weather incidents have compounded vulnerabilities in Hawaii, pointing to the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure assessments to prevent future disasters.
Emergency sirens blared along Oahu’s North Shore, where rising waters damaged homes in a community world-renowned for its surfing. Honolulu officials told residents Friday morning to leave the area downstream of Wahiawa dam — long known to be vulnerable — saying it was “at risk of imminent failure.”
More than 230 people were rescued as heavy rains pummeled the Hawaiian island of Oahu and triggered the worst flooding the island has seen in 20 years, inflicting what Governor Green described as potentially over $1 billion in damages.
Water levels have been receding at the dam, which authorities warned could fail, but that could change if more rain falls. In less than 24 hours, water at the dam increased from 79 feet to 84 feet — just six feet shy of what it can handle, authorities noted.
No deaths were reported, but several individuals received treatment for hypothermia. Mayor Rick Blangiardi reported catastrophic damage with over 5,500 residents under evacuation orders.
Emergency services continue their efforts amid persisting rain, as forecasts indicated further storms may exacerbate the situation. As families evacuate, concerns grow for the aging dam, which has had its safety graded as “high hazard potential” due to historical failures and inadequate repairs. Ongoing weather incidents have compounded vulnerabilities in Hawaii, pointing to the urgent need for comprehensive infrastructure assessments to prevent future disasters.
