An early morning view of Oahu’s North Shore as evacuation orders were put in place. Photo: Instagram//LofiHilux
Thousands of people living on the idyllic North Shore are being told to evacuate on Friday as heavy, unrelenting rains caused water levels to rise rapidly.
“The storm of course is very severe right now, particularly on the northern part of Oahu,” said Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said in a social media post. “It’s going to be a very touch-and-go day.”
Early on Friday morning, emergency sirens echoed through Haleiwa and Waialua as the waters rose quckly behind the 120-year-old Wahiawa dam. At 5:35 a.m., an evacuation order was issued for around 4,000 people in the communities by Honolulu officials.
“LEAVE NOW or go to high ground or the highest floor of your home if you are in the evacuation area,” the order reads. “DO NOT walk or drive through moving water or on flooded roadways. Stay out of the area until emergency officials advise it is safe to return.”
A few hours later, at 7:43 a.m., emergency crews reported “widespread, life-threatening flash-flood impacts continuing across northern Oahu, particularly in the Haleiwa and Waialua areas.”
The Hawaiian Islands have been hit hard by a Kona Low in recent weeks, dumping enormous amounts of rain across the state and flooding many areas across the islands. Homes and roadways have been washed away, and while the worst appears to be in the rearview, another storm — weaker, thankfully — is on the way for the weekend.
“Just pray for us,” Waialua resident Kathleen Pahinui told The Associated Press. “We understand there’s more rain coming.”
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