Maui County Orders Immediate Evacuation of Haiku Residents After Kaupakalua Dam Failed



[ad_1]

UPDATE: 3:55 p.m.

Maui County officials say the Kaupakalua Dam has been breached and evacuations are “underway in Haiku for all residents of the Kaupakalua Dam area and Kaupakalua Road makai.”

“People near high-flow waterways should also evacuate or seek higher ground,” says an updated alert. “Evacuation shelters are open at Paia Community Center and Hana High School. People should stay away from areas of Haiku affected by evacuations ”

Gov. David Ige tweeted, “The state stands ready to support Maui County as residents and visitors downstream of the Kaupakulua Dam evacuate at this time. Please stay out of the area until the danger has passed and continue to monitor local media for updates. “

3:35 p.m.

Maui County officials said evacuations were ordered for everyone downstream from the Kaupakalua Dam in Haiku after heavy rains led to the dam rupturing.

“Rupture of the Kaupakalua reservoir dam in the Haiku region. If downstream of the dam, please evacuate now, ”the Maui Emergency Management Agency said in an alert. The alert warns of a “significant threat to life or property”.

Evacuation shelters are open at Paia Community Center and Hana High School.

“People should stay away from the area,” county officials said.

The National Weather Service said, “Life-threatening flooding and extensive property damage are expected in areas downstream of the Kaupakalua Dam, including the Hana Highway between Haiku and Pauwela.”

The East Maui area is under a flash flood warning until 6:15 p.m. today,

“At 2:08 pm, radar and automated rain gauges indicated that heavy rain was falling on the windward Haleakala. Water has been reported flowing on the Hana Expressway in Wailua. Rain was falling at a rate of 2-3 inches per hour. Flash flooding is occurring or is expected to start shortly. “

According to the weather service warning, the places that will experience flash flooding are Keanae, Nahiku, Kipahulu, Kaupo, Huelo, Kula, Hana, Makawao, Pukalani, Haiku-Pauwela, Haliimaile, Pauwela, Paia, Haleakala National Park, Wailua , Kailua and Hamoa.

2:15 p.m.

The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for the island of Maui until 6:15 p.m. today.

At 2:08 p.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated that heavy rain was falling in the windward Haleakala. Authorities reported that water was flowing on the road from Hana to Wailua. Rain was falling at a rate of 2-3 inches per hour.

1:15 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for the island of Hawaii, in effect until 4:15 p.m. today.

At 1:09 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain on the windward side of the island of Hawaii – from the district of Hamakua to Hilo to Puna. Showers were falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, and additional heavy rain is expected at least this afternoon.

Locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honokaa, Mountain View, Keaau, Glenwood, Hawaiian Acres, Papaikou, Orchidland Estates, Pepeekeo, Volcano, Honomu, Hakalau, Pahoa, Ninole, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Laupahoehoe, Ookala and Paauilo.

Officials said the advisory may need to be extended if flooding persists.

12:45 p.m.

The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for the island of Maui until 2:15 p.m. today.

At 12:41 p.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain was falling in the windward Haleakala. Authorities reported water was flowing on the Hana Expressway in Wailua. Rain was falling at a rate of 2-3 inches per hour.

The warning may need to be extended if flooding persists.

11:15 a.m.

The National Weather Service has upgraded the flood advisory to a flash flood warning for the island of Maui, in effect until 2:15 p.m. today.

At 11:15 a.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling on the windward Haleakala. Rain was falling at a rate of 2-3 inches per hour.

Flash flooding is occurring, officials have warned, or is expected to start shortly.

Some places that will experience flash flooding include Keanae, Nahiku, Kipahulu, Kaupo, Huelo, Kula, Hana, Makawao, Pukalani, Haiku-Pauwela, Haliimaile, Pauwela, Paia, Healakala National Park, Wailua, Kailua and Hamoa.

The public should stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches and culverts, even if they are currently dry. Do not cross flowing or rising water by car or on foot.

10:15 a.m.

The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for the island of Maui until 1:15 p.m. today.

At 10:04 am, the radar indicated heavy rain over the windward slopes of Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Locations in the notice include, but are not limited to, Kahului, Lahaina, Pukalani, Makawao, Haliimaile, Kula, Paia, Haiku-Pauwela, Pauwela, Puunene, Huelo, Maalaea, Wailuku, Keanae, Waiehu, Waikapu, Waihee , Nahiku, Kipahulu and Kahakuloa.

Precipitation and runoff will lead to dangerous driving conditions due to puddling, reduced visibility and poor braking action, officials have warned. The public should stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low areas prone to flooding.

PREVIOUS COVER

A flash flood watch is now in effect statewide until Tuesday evening.

The National Weather Service this morning extended coverage from the day before the flash floods to Niihau, Kauai and Oahu, as well as Maui County, as deep humidity spreads across the state, resulting in persistent heavy rains.

A flash flood watch means that a flash flood is possible in the area and the public should be prepared to act if a warning is issued.

A high surf advisory also covers all eastern shores from Kauai to the island of Hawaii due to the 7 to 10 foot waves generated by the strong trade winds until 6 a.m. on Tuesday.

Surf for the east coasts is expected to decline to 6 to 8 feet Tuesday morning, then to 5 to 7 feet Tuesday evening, forecasters said.

Surf for the northern coasts at 7-10 feet today is expected to decrease to 6-8 feet on Tuesday.

Surf on the western and southern shores remains stable at 3 to 5 feet and 2 to 4 feet, respectively, today and Tuesday.

Skies today are mostly cloudy, with showers likely for windward and mauka areas, and highs of 78 to 83 degrees. Tonight’s lows dip to 64 to 71 degrees, with locally possible heavy precipitation for all islands.

Forecasters expect widespread heavy showers and possible thunderstorms through to midweek.

Heavy showers ended in Hilo and Puna districts just before midnight, but could move towards Puna and Kau districts, forecasters said.

Sub-freezing temperatures on the Big Island peaks are also expected to result in a period of snow and freezing rain, which will result in a winter weather advisory until 6 a.m. Tuesday. Up to one to two inches of additional snow is expected at the peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

Traveling to the top can be very difficult if not impossible.

The National Parks Service has suspended overnight permits for the Mauna Loa summit cabins due to winter weather. Daytime users should watch the weather forecast to inform their backcountry travel decisions, officials said.

A small craft advisory is also in place for all Hawaiian waters until 6 a.m. Tuesday.



[ad_2]

Source link