Floods in Hawaii: Emergency declared as flooding causes significant damage, including collapsed bridges

Governor David Ige signed the proclamation on Tuesday to release public funds to help those affected by the heavy rains and flooding that have hit all the islands, according to a post on Twitter.

At least half a dozen homes on the island of Maui have reportedly been badly damaged or destroyed. And two bridges in the village of Wong, Oahu, collapsed as a cement truck passed over them, according to CNN subsidiary KGMB. Residents say floodwaters from the stream below had almost reached the road on the bridge when they gave way.

Maui resident Mark Alexander said he ended up with water up to his chest within minutes at his Haiku home. The family dog, Legend, was swept away by the water but found a way to climb onto the roof of the house for safety reasons, KGMB reported.

The floodwaters were so furious they knocked down his daughter’s bedroom from the foundation, Alexander said at the exit as he, along with family and friends, began shoveling mud feet out of their house.

Authorities order evacuations in light of dangerous flooding

The entire state is under flash flood watch until 6 a.m. local time Wednesday.

The mayor of Maui said homes and bridges were badly damaged in the ongoing flood emergency in the community. “This is unprecedented flooding, and we will conduct a damage assessment today,” Mayor Michael Victorino said in a statement written Tuesday.

On Monday, Victorino said residents told him it was the worst flooding they had seen in more than 25 years.

For a while, officials worried about the water ridge at the Kaupakalua Dam in Haiku and ordered residents downstream to evacuate.

On Tuesday, a flash flood emergency was also launched for Haleiwa, on the north shore of Oahu in Honolulu County at 6:15 p.m. HST, according to the National Weather Service, and the community was ordered to evacuate. .

“Catastrophic flooding from Opaeula Creek. Evacuate now from the town of Haleiwa,” the Honolulu County government said in an emergency notice Tuesday afternoon. “You are in danger. Go now.”

Oahu Emergency Management issued a flash flood advisory that could lead to catastrophic, life-threatening flooding on Oahu until 9:30 p.m. Wednesday and residents were warned to move to higher land, an emergency alert said issued by the City and County of Honolulu. County officials have identified short-term evacuation sites for residents affected by flooding on the North Shore.

“My caution to anyone watching is to please heed this warning and evacuate. We don’t make these kinds of orders capriciously, we do the ones with a purpose, they are the most serious,” Honolulu City and County Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a video speech Tuesday.

Damage assessment

Meanwhile, assessments of the damage in Maui also began on Tuesday.

“When you see flood damage in daylight, it’s a reminder of the sheer power of fast moving water,” said Victorino, who has visited the flooded areas. “We are very fortunate that no fatalities or injuries have been reported. I want to publicly thank our first responders who did a heroic job under very dangerous conditions.”

The mayor said the flooding destroyed the Peahi Bridge and at one point electricity was cut for more than 1,300 customers.

Ana Paula DeCarlo told CNN on Monday that her family were stranded at home due to the pavement leaching. She recorded a video showing water rushing over the causeway which once had a small stream below.

“Yes, it’s like a bridge, small over a stream,” she said of the road. “It didn’t stop raining for a second. We’re about 15 minutes from the dam.”

“This is our street right now. We can’t go anywhere. The street is gone, it’s gone!” She posted on Instagram.