Wahiawa Dam faces imminent failure, triggering evacuations across Oahu

Emergency officials issued urgent evacuation orders for thousands of residents in Hawaii as the 120-year-old Wahiawa Dam faces imminent failure during severe flash flooding.

“In short: More than 4,000 people have been ordered to evacuate towns north of Honolulu, in Hawaii, due to severe flooding”

ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Honolulu officials issued a 'LEAVE NOW' evacuation directive at 5:35am local time on Friday, targeting communities downstream of the dam including Waialua and Haleiwa on Oahu's North Shore.

ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

The mandatory evacuations covered approximately 4,000 residents who were urged to move to higher ground immediately due to 'extremely dangerous flooding' warnings as the dam was declared 'at risk of imminent failure.'

Water levels at the reservoir reached 85 feet, surpassing the mandatory evacuation threshold of 84 feet, with authorities reporting that water was actively running over the spillway.

Residents were advised to avoid flooded roads and carpool due to heavy traffic as they fled the area.

Severe flash flooding conditions have created catastrophic damage across Hawaii's North Shore, with muddy waters inundating streets, pushing homes off their foundations, and swallowing vehicles.

Emergency sirens blared throughout the region as rising waters damaged homes in communities world-renowned for surfing.

CBS News

The flooding has been particularly severe in Haleiwa and Waialua, where the National Weather Service reported 'widespread life-threatening flash flooding' that was 'extremely dangerous.'

Over the past 24 hours, the affected areas received 8-12 inches of rainfall, with Kaala, the island's highest peak, receiving nearly 16 inches in the past day.

This came on top of 26.6 inches of rainfall between March 10-16, leaving the ground already saturated and unable to absorb additional water.

Chest-high floodwaters were reported in some areas, creating dangerous conditions for both residents and emergency responders.

Emergency responders have launched extensive search and rescue operations as the Hawaii National Guard was activated to assist with the flooding crisis.

“An urgent evacuation order has been issued in Hawaii as incessant rains have prompted fears a 120-year-old dam may collapse”

Daily Express

Firefighters and lifeguards deployed on jet skis have been searching floodwaters for stranded individuals, though officials noted that some people were unable to evacuate due to the flooding.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi confirmed that 'some homes had been swept away' and that 'dozens — if not hundreds — of homes had been damaged,' though officials have been unable to fully assess the extent of destruction.

The National Guard and Honolulu Fire Department conducted an airlift operation, rescuing 72 children and adults who had been attending a spring break youth camp at Our Lady of Kea'au retreat on Oahu's west coast.

One evacuation shelter at Waialua High and Intermediate School had to be relocated when it became flooded, with about 185 people and 50 pets needing to be bused to another center.

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green mobilized military reserves, Schofield troops, and the Coast Guard in response to what he described as 'very severe' conditions.

The Wahiawa Dam, a 120-year-old structure built in 1906 for sugar production, has long been recognized as a significant safety hazard despite ongoing disputes over ownership and responsibility.

The earthen dam, which was reconstructed following a collapse in 1921, is currently owned by Dole Food Company, though the state has been attempting to acquire ownership for more than $20 million in needed improvements.

KDVR

State officials have been warning Dole about necessary safety upgrades since 2009, with state engineer Carty Chang stating in a 2023 meeting that 'It's not a matter of 'if' something happens, it's a matter of 'when'… We have a very precarious situation, and nothing really has been done to address it.'

The dam has been classified as having 'high hazard potential,' meaning a failure 'will result in probable loss of human life.'

Despite these warnings, Dole Food Company maintains that 'the dam continues to operate as designed with no indications of damage,' and encourages residents to follow instructions from local authorities.

The catastrophic flooding in Hawaii is being driven by powerful winter storm systems known as 'Kona lows,' which feature southerly or southwesterly winds that bring in moisture-laden air, causing torrential rains, hailstorms, thunder, and flooding throughout the islands.

“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”

KOLO 8 Reno

This current crisis represents the second phase of what officials are calling 'Kona 2,' following a previous storm that dumped heavy rain across the state last week and led to catastrophic flooding that washed away roads and homes.

KOLO 8 Reno

The current storm, though potentially bringing less rain than the previous one, poses increased flooding risks due to already saturated ground conditions.

Maui County has issued an evacuation advisory for some Lahaina neighborhoods after nearby retention basins neared capacity, particularly affecting areas that were burned by the massive wildfire that destroyed much of Lahaina in 2023.

Emergency officials have emphasized that the primary concern is public safety, urging residents to avoid driving through flowing water and to seek higher ground if they cannot evacuate.