Hawaii hit by worst flooding in over two decades

Hawaii experienced its most severe flooding in more than 20 years as heavy rains fell on soil already saturated by a winter storm last week, officials said on March 20, warning that more rain is expected over the weekend.

Muddy floodwaters engulfed large areas of Oahu’s North Shore, a region famous for big-wave surfing. Raging waters lifted homes and vehicles, prompting evacuation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu. Authorities also warned that a 120-year-old dam could fail, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media. 

Gov. Josh Green said the storm’s cost could exceed $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, homes, and a hospital in Kula, Maui.

“This is going to have a very serious consequence for us as a state,” Green said at a news conference.

Most of Hawaii remained under a flood watch, with Haleiwa and Waialua in northern Oahu under a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service.

Green added that his chief of staff spoke with the White House and received assurances of federal support for the islands.

No deaths were reported, and all residents were accounted for. About 10 people were hospitalized for hypothermia, he said.

Rescue crews conducted air and water searches for stranded residents, efforts that were complicated by personal drones flying over flood zones, according to Ian Scheuring, a spokesperson for Honolulu.

The National Guard and Honolulu Fire Department airlifted 72 children and adults from a spring break youth camp at Our Lady of Kea’au on Oahu’s west coast. Although the camp is on high ground, authorities chose not to leave residents there, the mayor said.

By Sabina Mammadli