Hawaii hit by worst floods in 20 years; dam risk triggers evacuations

Authorities in Hawaii urged evacuations in flood-hit areas as the state reels from its worst flooding in over two decades, with more rain forecast to worsen the crisis.

Torrential downpours inundated large parts of Oahu, especially the North Shore, where surging floodwaters swept through homes, roads, and farmland. Nearly 5,500 residents north of Honolulu were asked to evacuate amid fears that the ageing Wahiawa Dam could fail, though orders were later eased.

Flood fury across islands

On Maui, officials escalated alerts in parts of Lahaina—still recovering from the 2023 wildfire—as retention basins neared capacity. More than 200 people have been rescued so far, with no fatalities reported, but the scale of damage is still being assessed.

“Don’t let your guard down”

Despite brief signs of improvement, authorities warned the danger is far from over. “Don’t let your guard down just yet,” said a meteorologist from the National Weather Service, cautioning that additional rainfall could quickly trigger fresh flooding due to already saturated ground.

Residents described dramatic rescues as waters rose rapidly. In one instance, livestock and pets were nearly swept away as flood levels surged within hours.

Billion-dollar damage feared

Governor Josh Green said the disaster could cause losses exceeding $1 billion, impacting infrastructure including airports, schools, roads, homes and hospitals. Officials said parts of Oahu received up to 12 inches of rain in a short span, overwhelming drainage systems.

Focus on ageing dam

Authorities have been closely monitoring the Wahiawa Dam, a 120-year-old structure classified as high-risk. While water levels briefly receded, renewed rainfall pushed them up again, keeping concerns alive.

Even as skies cleared in some areas, officials warned that runoff from higher elevations could quickly reignite flooding downstream.

No immediate end in sight

The extreme weather has been linked to “Kona low” storm systems, which bring moisture-laden winds to the islands. Experts say climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of such events. xpected, authorities say the situation remains volatile, and residents should stay prepared for further evacuations.