Catastrophic flooding in Hawaii as Oahu faces evacuations, dam fears Catastrophic flooding has struck Hawaii, with Oahu facing urgent evacuations and fears of a dam collapse. The state is experiencing its worst flooding in two decades, as relentless rain and damaging winds from back-to-back storms have caused widespread destruction. Authorities warned that the situation poses a significant threat to residents and infrastructure, with emergency measures in place to protect lives. The flooding, driven by kona storms—Hawaii’s winter cyclones—has led to severe water levels, damaged roads, and the risk of a dam bursting. On March 20, thousands were evacuated from areas including Haleʻiwa and Waialua after officials issued an alert stating the 120-year-old dam in Central Oahu was at "imminent risk of failure." While the dam did not collapse, the warning prompted immediate action, with residents urged to "LEAVE NOW." Governor Josh Green emphasized that no deaths or missing persons had been reported, but the scale of the crisis was unprecedented since the early 2000s. Rescue efforts have been underway, with over 200 people saved from flooded areas and approximately 10 hospitalized for hypothermia. Green described the flooding as a "major threat" to the state, highlighting the extensive damage to homes, roads, schools, airports, and a hospital on Maui. Officials estimated the total damage could reach $1 billion, surpassing the $85 million in losses from the 2004 Manoa Flood. The current crisis is linked to a series of kona storms, which are rare but powerful winter weather systems that typically affect the leeward sides of the islands. These storms, characterized by heavy rainfall and strong winds, have brought record-breaking precipitation.#hawaii #wahiawa_dam #oahu #kona_storms #manoa_flood
Over 5,500 people told to evacuate floods on Oahu's North Shore 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 the governor said could top $1 billion in damage. Water levels have been receding at the dam that authorities warned could fail but that could change if more rain falls. In less than 24 hours, water at the dam went from 79 feet to 84 feet — just six feet shy of what it can handle, authorities said. No deaths were reported and no one was unaccounted for, Gov. Josh Green said at a news conference. About 10 people were taken to a hospital with hypothermia, he said. Crews searched by air and by water for people who had been stranded — efforts that were hampered by people flying personal drones to get images of the flooding, he said. Dozens — if not hundreds — of homes had been damaged but officials have not been able to fully assess the destruction, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in an afternoon news conference. Some 5,500 people were under evacuation orders. “There’s no question that the damage done thus far has been catastrophic,” he said.#hawaii #wahiawa_dam #oahu #dole_food_company #honolulu
Aerial Footage Shows Floodwaters Gush Over 120-Year-Old Dam Strong water surged over the historic Wahiawa Dam on Friday, March 20, after heavy rain inundated parts of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. Aerial footage captured by Jacob VanderVelde depicted the rushing water at the structure, which had been flagged as potentially failing during the crisis, according to an evacuation order from the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management. The dam was later assessed as stable, leading to the lifting of the evacuation order for large portions of the island by Saturday afternoon, March 21. Hawaii Governor Josh Green addressed the situation in a press conference, stating that no fatalities had been reported at this time. He also noted that approximately 200 individuals had been rescued during the event, which has been characterized as the island’s most severe flooding in two decades. The incident highlights the vulnerability of aging infrastructure to extreme weather events, raising concerns about preparedness and maintenance in coastal regions prone to heavy rainfall. Credit for the footage goes to Jacob VanderVelde via Storyful.#wahiawa_dam #jacob_vandervelde #honolulu_department_of_emergency_management #hawaii_governor_josh_green #storyful
Spring Weather Continues Sunday Lafayette, La. – Sunday will bring a mix of sun and clouds, with temperatures gradually rising into the mid-70s by lunchtime and nearing 80 degrees by afternoon. Winds will be gusty at times, with some gusts exceeding 20 mph. Pollen levels and the UV index remain high, so it’s advisable to take allergy medication and apply sunscreen. Despite the weather, it will be a pleasant day for outdoor activities like swimming or grilling. The night before will be cool and damp, with partly cloudy skies. Patchy fog is expected to develop after midnight, and low temperatures will drop to around 60 degrees. Looking ahead, the week will see a slight warming trend, with temperatures reaching the mid-80s by Friday. Sun and clouds will continue to mix through the afternoon, accompanied by breezy conditions. Rain is not expected until Saturday afternoon, when a few showers may return to the forecast. Catastrophic flash flooding on Oahu forced more than 5,500 evacuations and pushed the 120-year-old Wahiawa Dam to dangerous levels on Friday. While the dam has since receded, evacuation orders remain in place due to the potential for additional rainfall. As crude oil prices have surged, the costs of refined products such as diesel and jet fuel have also risen sharply, creating pressure on various market sectors.#crude_oil_prices #lafayette_la #wahiawa_dam #oahu #dam
