Hawaii remains under a statewide flood watch after a severe storm hit the state and prompted officials to order evacuations. The potential for flash floods threatens the island of Oahu and parts of Maui County, as Governor Josh Green announced on Saturday.
The storm that struck this weekend is the second severe weather event to hit the archipelago in the last week. According to Green, certain areas recorded 40 to 50 inches (127cm) of rain over the past ten days, and Oahu could see an additional four to six inches, while parts of Maui may experience between four to twelve inches of rain.
'Don't take this storm lightly,' Green said in a video statement. While no deaths have been reported, a few serious injuries have occurred. The state has activated a program for those displaced by the storm, offering discounted hotel rates to evacuees.
Furthermore, the governor warned that due to the prior rainfall saturating the ground, it would take less rain to trigger flooding and road closures. The damage from the storms could exceed $1 billion (£745m), per Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi's estimates.
So far, more than 230 individuals have been rescued from floodwaters, with a dam on Oahu under threat of collapse. Residents have been urged to stay safe, with multiple flash flood warnings issued as rising waters lifted homes and cars, forcing evacuations for around 5,500 people north of the capital city, Honolulu. Roads across the islands have been closed.
Flood watch warnings have been established not only for Oahu but also for Maui, Molokai, and the Big Island. Due to significant infrastructure damage to airports, schools, roads, and hospitals, the storm's consequences may be severe for the state. 'This is the largest flood that we've had in Hawaii in 20 years,' Green emphasized at a Friday news conference.
The archipelago is currently grappling with a 'Kona Low', a slow-moving area of low pressure that brings in moisture-laden air, leading to heavy rainfall and flash flooding. This storm is the latest challenge for the islands, which are still recovering from the aftermath of the Lahaina wildfires earlier this year.
The storm that struck this weekend is the second severe weather event to hit the archipelago in the last week. According to Green, certain areas recorded 40 to 50 inches (127cm) of rain over the past ten days, and Oahu could see an additional four to six inches, while parts of Maui may experience between four to twelve inches of rain.
'Don't take this storm lightly,' Green said in a video statement. While no deaths have been reported, a few serious injuries have occurred. The state has activated a program for those displaced by the storm, offering discounted hotel rates to evacuees.
Furthermore, the governor warned that due to the prior rainfall saturating the ground, it would take less rain to trigger flooding and road closures. The damage from the storms could exceed $1 billion (£745m), per Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi's estimates.
So far, more than 230 individuals have been rescued from floodwaters, with a dam on Oahu under threat of collapse. Residents have been urged to stay safe, with multiple flash flood warnings issued as rising waters lifted homes and cars, forcing evacuations for around 5,500 people north of the capital city, Honolulu. Roads across the islands have been closed.
Flood watch warnings have been established not only for Oahu but also for Maui, Molokai, and the Big Island. Due to significant infrastructure damage to airports, schools, roads, and hospitals, the storm's consequences may be severe for the state. 'This is the largest flood that we've had in Hawaii in 20 years,' Green emphasized at a Friday news conference.
The archipelago is currently grappling with a 'Kona Low', a slow-moving area of low pressure that brings in moisture-laden air, leading to heavy rainfall and flash flooding. This storm is the latest challenge for the islands, which are still recovering from the aftermath of the Lahaina wildfires earlier this year.
