Hawaii Family's Home Swept Away in Devastating Flood, Community Rallies
A family in Hawaii has been left with unimaginable heartbreak after their cherished family home of 12 years was violently swept away during the destructive flooding that ravaged the island of Oahu. Merrily Cazimero and Marck Aphay, along with their two children, managed to evacuate as flood waters and severe storms intensified, but returned to a scene of utter devastation. Their home had been torn from its foundation and hurled into the nearby Waialua Bridge, according to details shared on their GoFundMe page.
Unprecedented Storm Fury
"I've seen storms and a lot of rain, but this one was the worst," Cazimero told SFGate. "This one was just nonstop, and when it flooded our area, once it hits over that the river area and it starts flowing into ours, it's very, very strong." The family had evacuated on March 12, heeding warnings issued on Friday as the island battled severe winds and flood waters from a series of kona low storms. The nearby Wahiawa Dam in Honolulu County was reported to be on the verge of "imminent failure," as noted by Fox Weather.
Oahu experienced some of the most severe impacts, with torrential rain triggering a Flash Flood Emergency on Friday. Officials in Hawaii ordered approximately 4,000 people living near the century-old Wahiawa dam to evacuate immediately on March 20, following relentless rains that battered the region. Cazimero recounted the peril faced by neighbors, stating, "I know that there was a few of our neighbors that by the time they got out and jumped, they were jumping into water. By the time they jumped off their porch, the water was up to their neck, so I was just so happy to have seen everyone there safe."
Irreplaceable Losses and Community Support
The family salvaged very little from the wreckage of their home. Among the few sentimental possessions that survived were the children's piggy banks, but treasured items like trophies and family pictures were lost forever. "What hit me the most, and my boyfriend, was the pictures and all my kids' trophies, their memorabilia," Cazimero explained. "When you graduate, or you move out or you get married, we pass it on to you, and that is all gone. That is the hardest, I think, for us."
Despite this profound loss, the family has found solace in the overwhelming support from their community. "To see the amount of people in the community to come and help us, we can't even expressed how much that means to us," Cazimero continued. "There was people helping us dig things out of the bushes and in the mud, and we were able to find some things and dry it out and clean it. But we can't every repay them, you know, for their services or anything, and I'm so grateful that our community came together that way." The GoFundMe campaign had garnered over $10,600 by Wednesday afternoon, reflecting the widespread compassion.
Statewide Recovery Efforts
Hawaii has begun a massive cleanup operation after being hit by the series of storms. Governor Josh Green declared a State of Emergency on Thursday, with the state health department reporting no serious injuries as of Saturday. Green noted that around 200 people were rescued on Friday from what he described as the worst flooding seen in Hawaii since 2004. "The strength of Hawai'i is our people," Green said in a statement on Sunday. "Throughout this storm, we saw neighbors helping neighbors, communities stepping up and our emergency teams working tirelessly to keep everyone safe. I want to thank our essential workers and partners for their incredible dedication - and I am deeply grateful to the people of Hawai'i for looking out for one another during this challenging time."
Green announced that state offices and most public schools would be reopening, with exceptions on Hawai'i Island, O'ahu, and Moloka'i. "While the immediate threat from the storm has passed, recovery efforts continue across the islands as state and county crews assess damage, clear debris and restore impacted infrastructure," the release stated. Areas near Wahiawa recorded a staggering 35 inches of rain since March 11, while Kahului on Maui saw more than 20 inches. Green estimated total damages from the severe weather to have reached approximately $1 billion.
Widespread Impact and Unusual Weather
Andrew Phomsouvanh told the Associated Press that he was "shocked to see how much flash flooding there was in my area. The water just keeps coming." Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi described the weather as a "classic rain bomb," with two to four inches of rain dumped per hour following clear skies. "We had no warning," he added. The agricultural sector suffered significantly, with organizations like Agriculture Stewardship Hawaii and the Hawaii Farm Bureau estimating farm damages exceeding $17 million.
Molly Pierce, a spokesperson for the Oahu Emergency Management Agency, reported that volunteers, public workers, and a contract company are assisting with cleanup, including collecting, sorting, and removing debris. Pierce described the storm as "extremely unusual," adding, "Most of us have not seen something that just keeps going like this. We feel like we keep getting punched down. But we'll keep getting back up." The resilience of Hawaii's communities shines through as they navigate this devastating event, with efforts focused on rebuilding and recovery in the wake of unprecedented natural disaster.
