Historic Flooding in Hawaii Inflicts Over $1 Billion in Damage
Hawaii is grappling with its worst flooding in more than two decades, with damage estimates surpassing $1 billion and a desperate search underway for a missing elderly woman. Thousands of residents have been forced to flee their homes across the islands of Oahu and Maui as torrential rains continue to batter the state.
Evacuation Orders and Rescue Operations
Officials issued urgent evacuation orders on Saturday for hard-hit areas, warning that the Wahiawa Dam on Oahu was at risk of failure. Communities downstream in Haleiwa and Waialua on the North Shore were particularly at risk. Governor Josh Green reported that 236 people have been rescued, including an entire camp, with some individuals trapped on rooftops during the crisis.
The flooding has been exacerbated by soil already saturated from downpours during a winter storm the previous week. The National Weather Service has maintained a flood watch for most of Hawaii through Sunday afternoon, covering Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, and the Big Island.
Search for Missing 71-Year-Old Woman
Crews have launched an extensive search for a 71-year-old woman who reportedly fell into the inundated Iao Stream on Saturday near Waiehu Beach Road. According to the Maui Police Department, she was last seen attempting to gather water using a basket when she was swept away.
Search efforts have included:
- Ground searches along the river and surrounding areas
- Aerial searches using helicopters
- Ocean searches utilizing jet skis
Despite these efforts, the woman remains missing, and operations continue.
Billion-Dollar Damage Assessment
Governor Josh Green estimated that the damage to both public and private sectors will exceed $1 billion. In a CNN interview on Saturday, he stated, "You can see the flood levels are significant. We'll have over $1 billion of damage, it appears."
The damage includes:
- A major hospital on Maui that has been "wiped out"
- Significant damage to airports, schools, and roads
- Numerous homes with structural damage requiring repair
Green noted that the state has experienced 40 to 50 inches of rain over approximately 11 days, resulting in two serious spinal cord injuries.
Celebrity Impact and Community Response
Hollywood actor Jason Momoa, born in Honolulu, was among those forced to flee the North Shore after losing power. He took to Instagram to share that he and his family were safe but expressed concern for others affected.
Momoa shared footage of flooding near his father's home, describing the destruction as "crazy" and pleading with followers to stay safe. He canceled a planned music event due to the dangerous weather and encouraged locals to check on neighbors, stating, "That's what aloha is. It's showing up for each other when it matters most."
The actor highlighted the particular hardship faced by unhoused communities and families displaced by the storms, noting that the past weeks have been "heavy" for his home state.
As Hawaii continues to face this unprecedented flooding crisis, recovery efforts are expected to be extensive and costly, with communities banding together to support those most affected by the disaster.
