State of emergency declared as torrential rains pummel throughout Hawaii

(FILE) ‘Ōpae‘ula Stream, which flows through the town of Haleiwa at Oahu’s North Shore, has the potential to overflow as a result of heavy rains coming down the Ko’olau Mountain Range. (Photo by Alfred Acenas, EBC Hawaii-Pacific, Eagle News Service)

 

HONOLULU (Eagle News) – Governor David Ige signed an emergency declaration for the entire State of Hawaii on Tuesday, March 9, as heavy rains in the last two days brought forth flash flooding, landslides, and damaged infrastructures; prompting evacuations in at least two counties.

According to Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino, raging flood waters completely destroyed Peahi Bridge and heavily damaged Kaupakalua Bridge in Haiku, located about 19 miles (30 kilometers) east of the island’s largest town of Kahului.

The Kaupakalua Dam, one of Maui’s oldest earthen dams built in 1885, was nearly breached Monday afternoon, as a result of the constant downpour. Some 7,000 people live nearby the structure.

“This has been unprecedented flooding, and we will be making damage assessments today,” Victorino said earlier Tuesday. “I ask everyone to stay vigilant and be safe.”

In Oahu’s North Shore, residents from the town of Haleiwa were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday afternoon ahead of potential floods from the Ko’olau Mountains to nearby streams.

While monitoring conditions from the Emergency Operations Center in Honolulu, Mayor Rick Blangiardi urged residents and visitors throughout Oahu to heed the warnings.

“We don’t do those kinds of orders capriciously; we do those with purpose. They are most serious,” said Blangiardi. “If you’ve been asked to evacuate, please do so immediately.”

That same afternoon, Honolulu’s Department of Environmental Services responded to a sewer overflow at its secondary treated Kahuku Wastewater Treatment Plant.

At around 1:13 pm, an estimated 8,200 gallons (31,040 liters) of partially treated wastewater from a secondary clarifier spilled partly within the plant and partly on the grounds of the James Campbell Wildlife Refuge.

The spill was contained at 3:45 pm. Crews initiated cleanup and recovery immediately thereafter.

Across the state, saturated ground conditions and increased water levels in reservoirs have increased the risk of erosion, seepage, piping, and dam failures.

The emergency declaration covers the entire state and gives the governor the authority to spend state funds as appropriated to protect the health, safety, and welfare of residents and visitors in the state. The declaration supports the state’s efforts to provide quick and efficient relief of suffering, damage, and losses caused by flooding and other effects of the heavy rains. The disaster emergency relief period will continue through May 8, 2021.

Meanwhile, current forecasts estimate the rains to continue through Friday, March 12.

 

(FILE) Lanikea Beach at Oahu’s North Shore. During winter, the waves are much larger, more treacherous, and able to reach further inland. (Photo by Alfred Acenas, EBC Hawaii-Pacific, Eagle News Service)

 

(FILE) Lanikea Beach at Oahu’s North Shore. During winter, the waves are much larger, more treacherous, and able to reach further inland. (Photo by Alfred Acenas, EBC Hawaii-Pacific, Eagle News Service)

(Eagle News Service)