Panic in Hawaii as dam faces ‘imminent’ failure and thousands are told: ‘Leave now’
A massive dam in Hawaii is on the verge of collapse as heavy rains batter the islands, prompting urgent warnings for thousands of locals to evacuate immediately.
Wahiawa Dam on the island of Oahu faces ‘imminent risk of failure,’ according to the Oahu Department of Emergency Management.
If the dam fails, the risk of sudden, life-threatening flooding could be high, especially in parts of Haleiwa and Waialua on the island’s North Shore.
As of 9 a.m. local time (3 p.m. ET), an evacuation order was still active on Oahu, and officials warned residents to pick up family members and leave immediately.
Residents were asked to help their neighbors only if it is possible to do so safely, to inform them of the warning and not to waste time collecting their belongings.
The evacuation order applies to anyone currently in the Haleiwa between Puuiki Street and Kamehameha Highway and the Waialua areas between Kukea Circle and Otake Camp.
According to the Honolulu Star Advertiser, heavy rains caused the water level in the Wahiawa reservoir to rise above 25 feet. This amount is well above the normal spillway level of approximately 80 feet.
Hawaii was inundated with rain from a severe storm system known as the ‘Kona low’, which dumped between 8 and 12 inches of rain on certain areas.
This is a story of breaking. More details to follow.
Wahiawa Dam on Oahu (Image) is at ‘risk of imminent failure’ due to rising water levels in the Wahiawa reservoir and heavy downpours
Wahiawa Dam on the island of Oahu faces ‘imminent risk of failure,’ according to the Oahu Department of Emergency Management.
Hawaiian officials updated earlier reports that the Wahiawa Dam had already failed, but still implored residents to leave the area as soon as possible.
‘Wahiawa Dam has not collapsed, but the risk of collapse is imminent. Oahu Emergency Management posted online Friday potential life-threatening flooding in downstream areas.
Since traffic was very heavy during the evacuation, residents fleeing the area were advised to share their vehicles if possible.
Thousands of residents in Hawaii were urged to gather their families and leave their homes just before the Wahiawa Dam broke.
Officials warned that if the dam failed, it could lead to life-threatening flooding in Haleiwa and Waialua on the North Shore of Oahu.
A severe storm system called the ‘Kona low’ is occurring in Hawaii, producing 8 to 12 inches of rain in some areas
