Floods Strike: Hawaii Requires Thousands of Residents to Evacuate

Source: Xinhua News Agency

Beijing, March 21 — Recently, Hawaii experienced flooding due to heavy rainfall, prompting a flood emergency alert on the north shore of Waikiki Island on the 20th. Murky floodwaters inundated streets and vehicles, displacing homes from their foundations.

The Honolulu city government warned that the 120-year-old Wahiawa Dam is at imminent risk of failure, prompting evacuation orders for approximately 5,500 residents downstream. According to the Associated Press, this earthen dam was built in 1906 by an agricultural company for sugarcane irrigation and was rebuilt after collapsing in 1921.

Data from the National Weather Service shows that some areas of Oahu, where Honolulu is located, received 200 to 300 millimeters of rain during the night of the 19th; the highest point on the island saw 400 millimeters of rain within 24 hours, with a total of 676 millimeters from the 10th to the 16th. This is reported to be the most severe flood in Oahu in nearly 20 years, with local officials estimating property damages may exceed $1 billion.

Most of Hawaii has activated water monitoring systems, and a flash flood warning has been issued for northern Waikiki Island.

The Wahiwa area in northern Oahu is located downstream of Wahiawa Dam. Resident Catherine Pahinui told the Associated Press that whenever it rains, everyone worries about the aging Wahiawa Dam. She is currently preparing to evacuate to a friend’s house in a higher area. “Pray for us,” Pahinui said, “we know there will be more rain.”

Hawaii’s recent heavy rains are caused by the “Kona Low” winter storm system, which brings moist air from the south or southwest. Similar stormy weather with more rainfall is expected this weekend, though the intensity will decrease. Experts say that due to global warming, the strength and frequency of heavy rainfall in Hawaii have increased.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced on social media that the state National Guard has been urgently deployed for disaster relief; several public places, including schools and parks, have been converted into temporary shelters. Green stated that so far, 10 people have been hospitalized due to hypothermia, with no reports of fatalities.

According to Honolulu officials, rescue personnel are conducting aerial and water searches for trapped individuals, but rescue efforts have been temporarily hindered by residents flying drones to film the flood scenes. (Wang Yijun)