Powerful storm unleashes Hawaii's worst floods in 20 years

Hawaii experienced its worst flooding in over 20 years as powerful Kona low storm systems dumped unprecedented amounts of rain on already saturated soil.

“But the agency doesn't know how many”

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The severe weather battered Oahu's North Shore, a world-renowned surfing community, where muddy floodwaters inundated vast stretches of coastline.

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Governor Josh Green characterized the flooding as "the largest flood that we've had in Hawaii in 20 years," noting that the second major storm within a single week had already saturated the ground.

Emergency sirens blared across the region as officials scrambled to respond to the rapidly deteriorating conditions.

The scale of the disaster was staggering, with officials reporting evacuation orders affecting approximately 5,500 residents north of Honolulu.

Emergency crews conducted more than 233 rescues of stranded residents, including 72 children and adults airlifted from a spring break youth camp.

ABC

The financial impact could exceed $1 billion, with damage reported to airports, schools, roads, residential homes, and even a hospital on Maui.

The Hawaii National Guard deployed 195 soldiers and airmen and 21 high-water vehicle teams statewide, with door-to-door operations continuing in hard-hit communities.

A critical concern throughout the crisis was the Wahiawa dam, a 120-year-old earthen structure that authorities warned faced "imminent risk of failure" due to rising water levels.

“"The water is actively running over the spillway right now," Ms Pierce said”

ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

The dam, built in 1906 to support sugar cultivation and later owned by Dole Food Company, had water levels rise from 79 feet to 84 feet within 24 hours, leaving it just 6 feet below maximum capacity.

State officials classified the dam as having "high hazard potential," warning that structural failure "will result in probable loss of human life."

Emergency sirens blared along Oahu's North Shore as residents in downstream areas were ordered to evacuate, with officials urging people to "leave now while conditions were safe."

The extreme rainfall events were attributed to "Kona low" winter storm systems, which feature southerly or southwesterly winds that bring in moisture-laden air from the tropics.

Parts of Oahu received 8 to 12 inches of rain overnight, while Kaala, the island's highest peak, recorded nearly 16 inches within a single day.

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Climate scientists indicated that the intensity and frequency of heavy rainfall events in Hawaii have increased due to human-caused global warming.

The National Weather Service warned that an additional 6 to 8 inches of rain was forecast to fall across Oahu in the next few days, with significant runoff continuing to produce high water levels.

In response to the unfolding crisis, Hawaii activated its National Guard and received federal support as emergency operations continued.

“"Right now it's a community in isolation, they're cut off," he said”

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Governor Josh Green announced that the Hawaii National Guard had been activated since early morning, with additional resources deploying across Oahu.

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Federal partners including FEMA indicated their support, with teams embedded on the island ready to assist.

Despite the severity of the situation, officials reported no fatalities or missing persons as of Friday evening, though approximately 10 people were hospitalized with hypothermia.