Flash Flood Warning issued for imminent Wahiawa Dam failure; residents urged to move to higher ground

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a Flash Flood Warning Friday morning for Oahu, citing local law enforcement reports of an imminent failure of Wahiawa Dam.

In a separate emergency alert, Honolulu officials warned of a dam/levee failure in progress or expected and urged residents to evacuate immediately.

HNL Alert: Evacuate now

At 8:34 a.m. HST, an HNL Alert bulletin stated:

“DAM/LEVEE FAILURE IN PROGRESS OR EXPECTED at WAHIAWA DAM. Potential life-threatening flooding of downstream areas.”

Officials issued an Evacuation Order for areas downstream of Wahiawa Dam, including parts of Haleiwa and Waialua, and urged people to leave the downstream area now.

Officials also warned of heavy traffic and asked residents to carpool if possible.

Evacuation map: https://p.veoci.com/hnlevacAlert details: https://alert.hnlalert.gov

What we know

At 8:22 a.m. HST, the National Weather Service said local law enforcement reported the imminent failure of Wahiawa Dam.

• Hazard: Flash flooding from the imminent failure of Wahiawa Dam
• Source: Emergency management
• Impact: Flooding of areas downstream from Wahiawa Dam along the Kaukonahua Stream

The National Weather Service said flooding is occurring along the Kaukonahua Stream.

Areas downstream

The National Weather Service said the nearest downstream areas include Waialua and Haleiwa, as well as communities and roadways along and near the Kaukonahua Stream.

The warning includes the following streams and drainages:

• Kaukonahua Stream — Wahiawa
• Kaukonahua Stream — Schofield
• Kaukonahua Stream — North Fork Wahiawa
• Kaukonahua Stream — Waialua
• Poamoho Stream — Kaukonahua Highway
• Poamoho Stream — Dole Fields
• Kiikii Stream — Waialua
• Mohiakea Gulch
• Anahulu River — Haleiwa
• Helemano/Opaeula Stream — Haleiwa

What residents should do

Emergency officials urge anyone in flood-prone areas downstream of Wahiawa Dam to move to higher ground immediately and avoid flooded roads.

Do not attempt to drive through flooded or fast-moving water.

If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

Warning could be extended

The National Weather Service said the warning may need to be extended beyond 1:15 p.m. HST if flooding persists.

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