Storm Damage and Impact
Hawaii's recent storms have resulted in approximately $1 billion (£752 million) in damages, according to officials. Two consecutive storms brought up to 50 inches (127 cm) of rain to parts of the state, causing murky brown floodwaters to inundate sections of the island of Oahu.
More than 230 individuals required rescue, Governor Josh Green stated during an interview with Hawaii News Now on Sunday. Despite the severity of the flooding, no fatalities have been reported to date.
"There were camps that had to be rescued, people were trapped by the water," said Green. "The coast guard also pulled people off of debris out in the ocean."
Governor Green noted that the White House remains in communication with his office and described federal officials as "very supportive." Officials have indicated that the flooding is the worst the state has experienced since 2004.
Warnings and Road Conditions
On Sunday morning local time, some evacuation and flash flood warnings on Oahu were lifted, although other areas of Hawaii continued to face threats from the storm. The Hawaii Department of Transportation (DOT) reported that part of the Kuihelani Highway on Maui was temporarily closed overnight due to "fast moving water," but it had reopened by Sunday. Additionally, other roadways on Maui experienced rockfalls on Saturday, as reported by the DOT.
Governor Green emphasized that the full extent of the damage remains under assessment and urged residents to exercise caution while traveling.
"There's still major flooding all over the place, do not drive through deep water," he said.
He further indicated that Maui County is expecting an additional eight to ten inches of rain over the coming days and advised against boating between islands while the storm persists.
National Guard and Dam Monitoring
The Hawaii National Guard continues to monitor water levels at the 120-year-old Wahiawa dam following concerns that it might overflow. Nearby residents were ordered to evacuate as a precaution. Water levels at the dam stabilized over the weekend.
Resident Experiences
Mikey, a resident of Wahiawa on Oahu, recounted his experience to Hawaii News Now, describing how floodwaters woke him and his wife after midnight on Saturday.
"About 12:30 I woke up and the floor was wet, and when I opened the bedroom door water came rushing in," he said.
"The water broke down the fence and broke down the door and came into our house. We were up to here in water," he said, gesturing towards his stomach.
After sunrise, Mikey observed the water receding gradually before the fire department arrived.
"We've lost everything," Mikey said. "Seriously, the water was up to my chest."
Celebrity Evacuation
Actor Jason Momoa, known for his roles in Game of Thrones and Aquaman, shared that his family had to evacuate their home on the North Shore of Oahu due to the storm.
"We're safe for now but there's a lot of people who weren't, so sending all of our love," Momoa posted on Instagram Stories, as reported by Variety. "The conditions on the North Shore are gnarly."
