Downpour, dam rupture, evacuation: Hawaii experiences worst flooding in 40 years

The mayor of Maui has asked some residents to evacuate and others to take shelter in place due to the flooding that caused the dam to burst and has already damaged or destroyed at least half a dozen homes. CNN.

Photo: Shutterstock

The Maui Fire Department said it received many calls for help from residents trapped in their homes due to rising flood waters, according to an update from Maui County.

“The current weather has created a very dangerous flooding situation throughout Maui County, especially in the east,” Mayor Mike Victorino said during a press conference on the afternoon of March 8th.

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is a real flood like we haven't seen in a long time," adding that some residents told him it was the worst flooding they had seen in 25 years. There are those who said that nothing like this has happened here for 40 years.

Evacuations underway on Maui - Flooding on Hana Highway right now near Haiku - Kaupakalua Dam could break at any time with thousands in the impact zone (video: Carlos Rosaga) @ KITV4 #Hawaii #HIWX #Flooding pic.twitter.com/jLmcUM1NKO

- Tom George (@TheTomGeorge) March 9, 2021

People are evacuated

Maui County officials said that heavy rains caused water to peak in the Kaupakalua Dam in Haiku early Monday morning, March 8, and erupted around 15:21 pm local time.

The Hawaiian Emergency Management Agency has ordered those downstream to evacuate, and three shelters have been opened for those in need.

The National Meteorological Service said additional torrential rains could lead to flash flood warnings in no time in areas downstream of the dam, and advised residents to follow instructions provided by Maui Emergency Management officials.

The governor said he was ready to assist the area during the evacuation.

“The State stands ready to support Maui County as residents and visitors downstream of the Kaupakulua Dam evacuate at this hour. Please stay away from the area until the danger has passed and continue to monitor local media for updates,” Hawaii Gov. David Ige said in a statement.

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All parks in Maui County have been closed until further notice due to heavy rainfall and flooding, the Department of Parks and Recreation said.

Flooding on Maui leading to evacuations - shed getting washed away in Haiku #Hawaii #HIWX #Flood (video: Angelina Ribet) @ KITV4 pic.twitter.com/U60nDDbJ4x

- Tom George (@TheTomGeorge) March 9, 2021

Residents describe the flood

Carmen Gardner told CNN that she has lived in the area for 40 years and has never seen such severe flooding. She said she was safe above the Kaupakalua Dam.

"In the winter of 1988-1989 there was some flooding during a rainstorm, but never anything like this," she told CNN. “Kaupacalua Road looked like the Colorado River.” It's below us, but there was a flash flood on the lower edge of our property that appears to have already destroyed one of the rental buildings."

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Gardner said the rental space underneath appeared to be "badly damaged."

WILD! Flooding video at Makawao Ave and Piiholo Road as the Flash Flood Warning continues for the Island of Maui pic.twitter.com/CfwFoI9nQM

- KITV4 (@ KITV4) March 9, 2021

Ana Paula DeCarlo told CNN that her family is safe, although they are stuck at home due to road washout. She recorded a video showing how water flows along the roadway, under which a small stream used to flow.

“Yeah, it’s like a bridge, a little bridge over a stream,” she said of the road. — The rain did not stop for a second. We are about 15 minutes from the dam.”

“This is our street right now. We can't go anywhere. The street has disappeared, it’s gone!” - she wrote on Instagram.

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