Thousands Flee as Threat of Dam Failure Looms in Hawaii
Due to heavy rains, floodwaters have taken over streets, uprooted homes, and swallowed vehicles in towns north of Honolulu. Thousands of residents have been ordered to flee their homes because of the risk of a dam that's more than a century old failing.
Warning Signals Echo Across Oahu's North Shore
The alarm bells are ringing across the North Shore of Oahu where rising waters have damaged homes in a community famous for its surfing. Residents living downstream of a well-known vulnerable dam were instructed to evacuate as the dam was deemed at risk of failing immediately.
No Casualty Reports Yet, but Damage is Severe
While there are no immediate reports of casualties, some homes have disappeared entirely. Rescue operations have been conducted by air and water to find and help stranded individuals. However, these efforts have been hindered by individuals using personal drones to capture images of the flooding.
Hundreds of Homes Damaged
Estimates suggest that hundreds of homes have been damaged, but the full extent of the destruction is not yet known. Around 5,500 people have been given evacuation orders. The extent of the damage is considered catastrophic.
Despite the damage, officials have expressed confidence in the stability of the island's dams. However, they acknowledge the difficulty in predicting the volume of rain and its potential impact.
Evacuations and Precautions in Place
Seventy-two children and adults attending a spring break youth camp at a retreat on Oahu's west coast had to be airlifted by the National Guard and the local Fire Department. The camp is situated on high ground, but authorities didn't want to take any chances. The entrance road to the camp had been blocked off by floodwaters.
Evacuation Advisory in Maui
Over in Maui, some neighborhoods were issued an evacuation advisory as nearby water retention basins were nearing their full capacity. These areas had been previously affected by a massive wildfire.
Heavy Rains Cause Concern
Officials have been monitoring dam levels closely after heavy rain across the state caused catastrophic flooding that destroyed roads and homes. A similar, albeit weaker storm, is expected to hit soon, causing further concern.
Most parts of the state are under a flood watch with certain areas of northern Oahu under a flash flood warning. One shelter had to be evacuated due to flooding, leaving many people and pets in need of a new evacuation center.
Record Rainfall
Certain parts of Oahu received between 8 to 12 inches of rain overnight, further soaking the already saturated ground. The island's highest peak received nearly 16 inches of rain in the past day. The intense rainfall is attributed to winter storm systems known as "Kona lows", which bring moisture-laden air. The frequency and intensity of these heavy rains have increased due to human-caused global warming.
Dam's High Hazard Potential
The dam in question, built in 1906, has been deemed a high hazard potential, indicating that its failure could result in the loss of human lives. It was originally constructed to boost sugar production and was reconstructed after a collapse in 1921.
There have been multiple notices of deficiency about the dam since 2009, and a fine was issued five years ago for not addressing safety deficiencies on time. The dam, reservoir, and ditch system were proposed to be donated to the state in exchange for the state agreeing to repair and maintain the dam safety standards.
Legislation was passed authorizing the dam's acquisition and providing funds for the purchase and repair of the spillway. However, the transfer has not yet been completed. A state board is scheduled to vote on the acquisition in the coming week. Despite the concerns, it has been stated that the dam continues to operate as designed with no signs of damage.