Heavy flooding in Hawaii has led officials to tell people in some areas to leave at once, as rising water threatens homes, roads and an old dam.
On Oahu, muddy floodwater covered large areas after days of heavy rain fell on already wet ground. About 5,500 people were placed under evacuation orders, and officials warned that a 120-year-old dam at Wahiawa could be in danger of failing. On Maui, some parts of Lahaina were also told to prepare for serious flooding because water basins were nearly full. Although some people saw blue skies and lower water levels on Sunday morning, weather experts warned that more rain was still expected. A meteorologist said people should not relax yet because flooding could quickly return.
The floods were so strong that homes and cars were lifted by the water, and more than 200 people had to be rescued. Officials said no deaths were reported, and no one was missing. Rescue teams also airlifted 72 children and adults from a youth camp on Oahu’s west coast to keep them safe.
One farmer in Waialua said her goats stood in knee-high water, and her family had to save seven dogs whose heads were almost under the floodwater. Governor Josh Green said the damage could cost more than $1 billion, affecting schools, roads, homes, airports and a hospital on Maui. He called it Hawaii’s worst flooding since 2004.
