An urgent evacuation order has been issued due to the imminent risk of a major 120-year-old dam collapsing in Hawaii. Honolulu authorities have instructed over 4,000 residents in northern towns to vacate the area as concerns grow over the failing state of the Wahiawa Dam. The “LEAVE NOW” directive was issued at 5.35 am on Friday for individuals residing downstream of the dam, including Waialua and Haleiwa, cautioning about the potential for severe flooding and the heightened danger posed by the unstable dam.
Additionally, the National Weather Service in Honolulu has declared a flash flood warning for Oahu. Hawaii Governor Josh Green announced the activation of the Hawaii National Guard to address the unfolding flooding situation, emphasizing the severe impact of the storm on the northern part of Oahu with reports of chest-high floodwaters. Most parts of the state are under a flood watch, with northern Oahu specifically under a flash flood warning, highlighting the risk of life-threatening flash flooding in areas like Haleiwa and Waialua.
In response to the escalating situation, one shelter at Waialua High and Intermediate School is being evacuated due to flooding concerns, with approximately 185 individuals and 50 pets being relocated to an alternative evacuation center. Residents like Kathleen Pahinui from Waialua expressed their apprehension regarding the aging dam’s stability, emphasizing the need for prayers and vigilance as more rainfall is anticipated.
Molly Pierce, a spokesperson for the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management, confirmed that the evacuation order impacts over 4,000 individuals, with the actual number potentially being higher. Authorities had previously issued a cautionary notice about the dam during heavy rainfall last week, which subsided as the water level decreased. Presently, water is actively overflowing the dam’s spillway, heightening concerns about its structural integrity.
The state of Hawaii oversees 132 dams, many of which were constructed as part of irrigation systems for the sugar cane industry, as per a 2019 infrastructure report by the American Society of Civil Engineers. The tragic collapse of the Ka Loko dam on Kauai in 2006, resulting in seven fatalities, serves as a poignant reminder of the catastrophic consequences of dam failures.