HONOLULU — the The worst floods to hit Hawaii In two decades, homes have been swept off their foundations, cars rolled out of driveways and floors, walls and counters left covered in thick, reddish volcanic mud.
Crews continued to assess the damage on Monday, but authorities said hundreds of homes were damaged, along with some schools and a hospital.
No deaths were reported, but more than 230 people were rescued.
Here’s what to know when residents start cleaning.
Gov. Josh Green said the cost of the storm could exceed $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, homes and the Maui Hospital on Kula. He called it the most dangerous in the state since floods since 2004, when floods at Manoa inundated homes and the University of Hawaii library.
On the north shore of Oahu, It is famous for surfing big wavesWaters rose quickly after midnight Friday as heavy rain fell on soil already saturated by heavy rain Winter storm a week ago. The raging waters lifted homes and cars. The storm led to assessment orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu – although they were later lifted – and more than 230 people were rescued from rising waters.
Some residents fled on surfboards when the water reached waist or chest level.
Officials charged Some destruction The huge amount of rain that fell in a short period of time.
The National Weather Service said parts of Oahu received 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm). This was in addition to another recent storm that had dumped huge amounts days earlier. Cala, the highest peak on the island, reached about 16 inches (40 cm) late last week, in addition to 26.6 inches (67.6 cm) between March 10 and 16.
Winter storm systems known as “Kona lows,” characterized by southerly or southwesterly winds that bring moisture-laden air, have been responsible for the deluge in the past two weeks. the Intensity and frequency Heavy rains in Hawaii have increased amid human-caused global warming, experts say.
The worst of the storms appeared to be over Sunday afternoon.
Crews are still assessing the extent of the damage, but by Monday, Oahu Emergency Management had received more than 400 reports of damaged or destroyed homes, spokeswoman Molly Pierce said.
In some neighborhoods, residents had to walk through silt up to their knees or deeper to reach their properties, she added.
Besides its consistency, the clay’s rusty color, which comes from oxidized iron in volcanic soil, makes cleanup a nightmare.
“When it’s dry, the dust leaves spots, and when it’s wet, the clay sticks,” Pierce said Monday. I compared it to heavy, wet snow.
Volunteers are showing up from all over Oahu and even from other islands to help remove mud and debris, Pierce said.
As water levels rose Friday, officials warned that the 120-year-old Wahiawa Dam, north of Honolulu, was “at imminent risk of failure.” The dam had long been at risk, but concerns eased as the waters receded.
The earthen structure was built in 1906 to increase sugar production for the Waialua Agricultural Company, which eventually became a subsidiary of the Dole Food Co. It was rebuilt after the collapse in 1921.
The state said the Wahiawa Dam had “high risk potential” and that its failure “would result in potential loss of human life.”
Dole has sent four deficiency notices about the dam since 2009, and five years ago fined the company $20,000 for failing to address safety deficiencies on time, according to records.
Subsequently, Dole proposed donating the dam, reservoir, and ditch system to the state in exchange for an agreement to repair the spillway to meet and maintain dam safety standards.
“The dam continues to operate as designed with no signs of damage,” Doll said in a statement.
Green on Sunday recommended that those who want to support affected families donate to the Hawaii Community Foundation, which she has activated Stronger Hawaiian Fund To deploy resources to all affected islands.
He also launched the non-profit Hawaii Council Kaku Oahu An initiative to help individuals and families through housing, financial assistance and other forms of support. The council has matched the first $100,000 in donations and continues to fundraise.
“Many families have been displaced, homes have been damaged, and communities are facing immediate needs,” said Hawaii Council CEO Kuhio Lewis. “The road to recovery starts now, and it can’t wait.”
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Johnson reported from Seattle. Associated Press writer Gabriela Aoun Angera contributed to this report from San Diego.