Hawaii Floods Force 5,500 Evacuations as Wahiawa Dam Feared to Fail

Hawaii is experiencing its worst flooding in 20 years, forcing mass evacuations of 5,500 residents from towns north of Honolulu.

“Concerns centered on rising water levels and the risk of overflow, which could affect stability”

ABC

Emergency management officials issued a stark "LEAVE NOW" evacuation order for Waialua and Haleiwa downstream from the Wahiawa Dam.

ABC

The 120-year-old dam has reached critical water levels of 85 feet—just one foot above the mandatory evacuation threshold of 84 feet.

The dam, built in 1906 and long known to be vulnerable, is described as "at risk of imminent failure" and authorities warn it "may collapse or breach at any time."

Muddy floodwaters have already inundated streets, pushed homes off their foundations, and submerged vehicles across Oahu's North Shore.

The catastrophic flooding has already caused extensive damage with at least 230 people rescued from life-threatening conditions.

Homes have been swept away and vehicles submerged while emergency responders work tirelessly to save stranded residents.

Al Jazeera

Governor Josh Green described the situation as "very touch-and-go" and noted that floodwaters reached chest-level in some areas.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi stated that "dozens, if not hundreds" of homes have been damaged with the destruction being "catastrophic."

Remarkably no deaths or injuries have been reported so far, though officials remain concerned about potential loss of life.

The flooding crisis is being driven by intense "Kona low" storm systems, slow-moving weather patterns that draw in moisture-laden air.

Parts of Oahu received 8 to 12 inches of rain overnight, with the island's highest peak, Kaala, getting nearly 16 inches in the past day.

This latest deluge follows a damaging flood event just a week earlier that had already saturated the ground.

Experts note that the intensity and frequency of heavy rains in Hawaii have increased amid human-caused global warming.

Additional rainfall of 2 to 7 inches is expected through the weekend, prolonging emergency conditions.

The Wahiawa Dam presents a particularly urgent concern as it represents one of Hawaii's aging infrastructure challenges.

Built in 1906 to increase sugar production, the earthen dam was reconstructed following a collapse in 1921 and has been vulnerable for decades.

Associated Press News

State regulators have documented the dam's deficiencies, issuing Dole Food Company four notices of deficiency since 2009 and fining the company $20,000.

The state has passed legislation to acquire the dam and allocated $26 million for repairs, but the transfer has not been completed.

Water levels peaked at over 85 feet before receding slightly to 81.5 feet by early Saturday, but more rain threatens stability.

The broader impact extends beyond evacuation zones, with damage reported across Hawaii's infrastructure.

“Thousands evacuated as Hawaii faces worst flooding in 20 years Thousands of people in Hawaii have been told to evacuate their homes as the US state suffered its worst flooding in decades”

BBC

Damage estimates have exceeded $1 billion, affecting homes, roads, schools, airports, and hospitals.

BBC

On Maui, patients had to be relocated when a hospital was impacted by the flooding.

State officials have closed all state departments and activated multiple emergency response agencies.

Local resident Kathleen Pahinui expressed community anxiety: "Just pray for us. We understand there's more rain coming."