Hawaii assesses damage left by worst flooding in more than 20 years
The Guardian • • nation
Key Points:
- Hawaii is evaluating extensive damage from the worst flooding in over 20 years, caused by heavy rains that forced thousands to evacuate parts of Oahu and Maui.
- The flooding lifted houses and cars, inundated farms, and swept through grocery stores, leaving thick mud and debris in affected communities like Waialua and Hale’iwa.
- Governor Josh Green reported at least $1 billion in damages, with over 200 people rescued and no deaths reported so far.
- Concerns about the potential failure of the 120-year-old Wahiawa dam have eased as water levels have dropped.
- The storms, driven by “Kona lows” and exacerbated by climate change, are subsiding, with drier weather expected by Wednesday, though isolated flooding may still occur.
