Additional Coverage:
Hawaii Reeling from Worst Flooding in Two Decades as Recovery Efforts Begin
Hawaii is grappling with the aftermath of its most severe flooding in two decades, as relentless rains and damaging winds triggered widespread devastation across the islands. The catastrophic weather event has prompted over 200 rescues, numerous evacuation orders, widespread power outages, and an estimated $1 billion in damages, officials report.
The deluge transformed neighborhoods into murky waterways, with Coast Guard officers actively searching for signs of distress. Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi acknowledged the extensive damage to residents’ homes, stating, “Like everybody and anybody, I’m grateful that so far everybody’s alive, but I recognize the fact that a lot of homes have been destroyed. A lot of people’s lives are going to be upended from the standpoint of the challenge of what they’re going to have to do going forward, and we’re just all going to have to dig in.”
The severe weather stemmed from a series of “kona lows,” a winter phenomenon characterized by low-pressure systems that typically bring intense rains to the leeward sides of the islands-areas usually sheltered from such downpours, according to Steven Businger, a meteorology professor at the University of Hawaii.
Further compounding the crisis, approximately 4,000 residents on Oahu were ordered to evacuate on March 20 due to an “imminent risk of failure” at the century-old Wahiawa dam, located north of Honolulu.
As recovery efforts commence, Governor Josh Green announced Sunday night, March 22, that state operations would resume, and public schools would reopen, with the exception of those directly damaged. Governor Green praised the community’s resilience, stating, “Throughout this storm, we saw neighbors helping neighbors, communities stepping up, and our emergency teams working tirelessly to keep everyone safe. I want to thank our essential workers and partners for their incredible dedication – and I am deeply grateful to the people of Hawaiʻi for looking out for one another during this challenging time.”