Harmful flooding is impacting Hawaii’s Oahu island, prompting evacuations and a warning from native officers of a doable dam collapse, as main rains pummel the world for the second important rain occasion in per week.
An evacuation order was issued early Friday morning native time for Haleiwa and Waialua, together with areas close to the Wahiawa Dam, based on Oahu Emergency Administration, which warned that the dam “could collapse or breach at any time.”
The dam “has not failed however is at imminent danger of failure,” Oahu Emergency Administration mentioned mid-morning native time Friday.
Hawaii is seen through satellite tv for pc, March 20, 2026.
NOAA
“Potential for life-threatening flooding and catastrophic quantities of fast-moving water in downstream areas,” the company warned.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Inexperienced mentioned the Hawaii Nationwide Guard has been activated and different assets are being deployed throughout Oahu amid the “extreme storm.”
“We’re coordinating carefully with state and county companions to assist evacuations, open shelters, and preserve our communities secure,” he mentioned on X.
The Nationwide Climate Service in Honolulu has issued a flash flood warning after dam failure on the Kaukonahua Stream beneath Wahiawa Dam on Oahu, Hawaii, March 20, 2026.
Metropolis and County of Honolulu Division of Emergency Administration
The newest flood risk comes per week after a harmful flood occasion that washed away roads and broken houses.
A flash flood emergency was issued for northern Oahu earlier Friday for “catastrophic” flooding. Native emergency personnel had reported “life-threatening flash flooding” early Friday throughout northern Oahu, based on the Nationwide Climate Service in Honolulu.
“Floodwaters have lower off street entry out and in of Haleiwa, and widespread flooding of roadways and low-lying areas is ongoing,” the NWS mentioned, warning that “important runoff continues to provide excessive water ranges and harmful flooding impacts.”
The Hawaii Division of Transportation suggested of a number of street closures within the space early Friday on account of flooding.
Flood circumstances have been anticipated to worsen, with extra heavy rain forecast for the area all through the day. The NWS warned that mudslides might happen in steep terrain areas.
The heaviest rain might be Friday by way of Saturday for many islands — with the Massive Island getting the heaviest rain on Sunday.
Thunderstorms might be doable at occasions, which can embody damaging winds.
Flood watches are in impact for the Hawaiian Islands by way of Sunday, with at the very least 2 to 7 inches of rain doable throughout the occasion.
ABC Information’ Kyle Reiman contributed to this report.
It is a creating story. Please examine again for updates.
