More than 4,000 residents of Oahu’s North Shore have been ordered to evacuate as catastrophic flooding overwhelmed the towns of Haleiwa and Waialua overnight and into Friday, officials said. The evacuation orders were issued due to the potential failure of the 120-year-ancient Wahiawa Dam, according to the Honolulu Emergency Management Department.
Emergency sirens blared along the North Shore as floodwaters inundated streets and homes, with reports of vehicles submerged. A flash flood warning was extended to the entire north half of the island at 8 a.m. Local time, according to Civil Beat, a Hawaii-based news organization.
Videos circulating on social media showed the extent of the damage. One video, shared by Hawaii News Now, depicted Ke Iki Road, a key access point to several renowned surf breaks, completely underwater. A resident described in the video’s caption that the water reached armpit level on a six-foot-six-inch tall individual. Another video showed cars floating in floodwaters at Ke Iki Beach.
Authorities urged residents in the affected areas to evacuate immediately and seek higher ground. Those unable to evacuate were advised to remain in place and avoid attics without access to the roof. An emergency shelter was initially opened at Waialua High and Intermediate School, but was later evacuated to a safer location, according to Civil Beat.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green issued a statement Friday morning calling the situation “dangerous” and urging residents to heed evacuation orders. “We are seeing dangerous conditions, including catastrophic flash flooding on the North Shore and the potential for dam-related impacts in Central Oʻahu,” Green said. “Please do not take this lightly — stay off the roads, avoid floodwaters, and check on your neighbors.”
The potential failure of the Wahiawa Dam is a major concern. The Associated Press reported that the flooding has already caused significant damage to homes and businesses, with initial estimates of economic losses reaching $50 million.
The flooding comes after a period of heavy rainfall that began Thursday evening and continued throughout the night. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) provided a satellite image showing extensive cloud cover over Hawaii on Friday afternoon.
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