From CBS News: Muddy floodwaters from severe rains inundated streets, swallowed vehicles and prompted evacuation orders for thousands of residents in towns north of Honolulu on Friday as officials warned of the possible failure of a 120-year-old dam.
Honolulu officials told some 4,000 residents in an emergency message to leave the area downstream of the Wahiawa dam because it’s failing or expected to fail soon. Ryan Wilson, a spokesperson from the Oahu mayor’s office, said Friday the dam “is at imminent risk to fail,” adding “this is one of those circumstances where you can’t take a risk about it.”
Emergency sirens blared along Oahu’s famed North Shore, where rising waters also damaged homes. Honolulu officials issued a “LEAVE NOW” evacuation order at 5:35 a.m. Friday for Waialua and Haleiwa: “Extremely dangerous flooding and Wahiawa Dam is high.”
Officials are warning of life-threatening flood conditions. Dam levels have been high since a storm last week dumped heavy rain across the state, resulting in catastrophic flooding that washed away roads and homes. After the worst of it, a similar but weaker storm was forecast to bring more rain through this weekend.
The Oahu Emergency Management is urging people to move to higher ground now.
HNL Alert: Flash Flood Warning Updated – Take Action! Dangerous flash flooding is happening or will happen soon. Move to higher ground. Avoid flooded areas/roads. View forecast details at https://t.co/rWQABuBXKc. https://t.co/mDaRe89Jba pic.twitter.com/JXIdaVHmyR
— Oahu Emergency Mgmt. (@Oahu_DEM) March 20, 2026
Another post on Friday warned that the dam is at IMMINENT risk of failure.
HNL Alert: 09:00 AM 03-20-2026 – WAHIAWA DAM HAS NOT FAILED BUT IS AT IMMINENT RISK OF FAILURE. Potential life-threatening flooding of downstream areas.
Evacuation order still in effect. Map: https://t.co/fl1PGwuFJx LEAVE downstre https://t.co/0JFlHmFQip pic.twitter.com/zisr9gJOlQ
— Oahu Emergency Mgmt. (@Oahu_DEM) March 20, 2026
WATCH BELOW:
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green posted a video announcement, urging people to evacuate now if they are in the danger zone.
We have issued an evacuation order for Waialua and Haleʻiwa. If you are in these areas, please evacuate now and follow guidance from emergency officials.
Shelter locations can be found here: https://t.co/clyywuZuuh pic.twitter.com/yV3Vu38iOi
— Governor Josh Green (@GovJoshGreenMD) March 20, 2026
Dangerous flooding is impacting Hawaii’s Oahu island — prompting evacuations and a warning from local officials of a possible dam collapse — as major rains pummel the area for the second major rain event in a week. https://t.co/LuBxUd0LRG pic.twitter.com/QXBwGu990t
— ABC News (@ABC) March 20, 2026
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