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Oahu Floods Force Mass Evacuations as Wahiawa Dam Hits Near-Record Level

Back-to-back Kona lows on saturated ground drove catastrophic runoff, with officials estimating losses near $1 billion.

Overview

  • Evacuation orders covered roughly 4,000 to 5,500 residents on Oahu’s North Shore, with no confirmed deaths and at least 10 people hospitalized for hypothermia.
  • Wahiawa Reservoir peaked at just under 85.3 feet, a record reading per USGS sensors, then fell below 82 feet as officials continued close monitoring of the high-hazard, 120-year-old dam.
  • More than 230 people were rescued by multi-agency teams, including 72 airlifted from a youth camp, as floodwaters cut off access roads and prompted rooftop evacuations.
  • Some evacuation orders were lifted as waters receded and residents began damage assessments, while power outages, disrupted water systems, and wastewater overflows complicated recovery.
  • Governor Josh Green called it the worst flooding in two decades and said damage to homes and infrastructure could exceed $1 billion, with additional rain and flood watches still in effect.