Thousands of people in Hawaii have been told to evacuate their homes as the US state suffered its worst flooding in decades. It is the second severe storm to hit the archipelago in the last week, causing damage that could exceed $1 billion (£745m), according to Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi. More than 230 people have been rescued so far, Blangiardi told a news conference on Friday. Heavy rains continued to fall on the archipelago in the early hours of Saturday morning. The authorities warned that a dam in Oahu, the state's most populous island, was at risk of collapse. Blangiardi urged residents to 'stay safe' and 'take the storm as seriously as you can'. Speaking at the news conference on Friday, Governor Josh Green stated there had been no reported fatalities in the storms and praised the emergency workers working to keep people safe. Rising floodwaters lifted homes and cars and triggered evacuation orders for some 5,500 people north of Honolulu. Roads have been closed across the islands. The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management has issued multiple flash flood warnings and urged residents to move to higher ground and avoid flooded areas. Flood watch warnings have also been issued for Maui, Molokai, and The Big Island. Green indicated that the storm would have a 'serious consequence for us as a state' due to the enormous damage it has caused to airports, schools, roads, and hospitals. 'This is the largest flood that we've had in Hawaii in 20 years,' he noted. The island is currently under the grip of a 'Kona Low', a slow-moving area of low pressure that pulls in warm, moisture-rich air, resulting in heavy rain and flash flooding. Some regions have experienced more than 10 inches (25cm) of rainfall and winds reaching up to 100mph (160km/h). While the worst of the weather is reportedly passing, heavy showers and thunderstorms are expected to continue throughout the weekend and into early next week. The storm is the latest challenge for the island, which is still recovering from natural disasters such as the devastating 2023 Lahaina wildfires.
Severe Flooding Triggers Mass Evacuations in Hawaii
Severe Flooding Triggers Mass Evacuations in Hawaii
In Hawaii, thousands of residents are forced from their homes due to historic flooding, the worst in two decades. The state deals with the aftermath of a severe storm, impacting infrastructure and prompting widespread evacuations.
Hawaii is facing its most severe flooding in 20 years, leading to the evacuation of approximately 5,500 residents. Damage is projected to exceed $1 billion as heavy rains and a risk of dam collapses threaten safety. Although there have been no reported fatalities, emergency services have rescued over 230 people, highlighting the crisis's urgency amidst ongoing adverse weather conditions.
