HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Gov. Josh Green said conditions on Oahu’s North Shore were “very serious” early Friday as heavy rain triggered rapid flooding, prompted evacuations, and led to multiple rescues.
The City and County of Honolulu has issued an evacuation order for some North Shore areas due to “extremely dangerous flooding” and rising water levels at the Wahiawa Dam.
At 7:43 a.m., emergency management reported widespread, life-threatening flash-flood impacts continuing across northern Oahu, particularly in the Haleiwa and Waialua areas. Officials said that although rainfall rates have temporarily decreased, significant runoff continues, keeping water levels high — including at the Wahiawa Reservoir (Lake Wilson), which continues to rise.
Emergency officials also warned that additional bands of heavy rainfall moving in from the southwest are expected to continue through the day, which could lead to renewed rises in water levels and worsening flooding conditions.
Rapid flooding, rising water levels
“We’re seeing rapid spikes in surge of water in some places — three or four feet of water on roads,” Green said in a live interview on Sunrise.
Green also provided an update on the Wahiawa Dam water level, saying it was 84.73 feet as of about 18 minutes before the interview. He noted 85 feet is the threshold that triggers evacuations, and said sirens were sounded in the early morning hours as officials began moving people out.
Green emphasized that while the top of the dam is higher, officials are watching the rate of rise closely.
“The biggest concern… is if water ultimately goes over the top of the dam, you can compromise the structure of the dam,” Green said.
Emergency management said the Wahiawa Reservoir remains elevated, with water levels continuing to rise from runoff despite a break in the heaviest rainfall. Officials warned that additional rises could worsen downstream flooding along streams, particularly near Otake Camp in Waialua.
City: Evacuate if you can, avoid driving through floodwaters
Honolulu Information Specialist Ryan Wilson, speaking from the city’s Emergency Operations Center, said the top priority is public safety as crews monitor changing conditions.
“It is definitely one of those situations where the top priority is the safety of the public,” Wilson said, adding that all city agencies are involved and coordinating from the EOC.
Emergency shelters are now open at Waialua High as catastrphic flooding on Oahu’s North Shore.
Evacuate
Wilson said he had not heard reports of people being trapped, but stressed officials are working to keep people out of danger zones and away from flooded roadways.
“The messaging is to get everyone out of there safely if you are able,” he said. “Don’t drive through flowing water… because we don’t want vehicles to be washed away.”
Wilson confirmed the evacuation areas, as of the interview, included Waialua and Haleiwa.
What to do if you hear sirens
Wilson urged residents who hear emergency sirens to move to higher ground immediately.
“If you cannot [leave], go up to the highest level of your house or where you live,” he said, cautioning people not to go into an attic where you can’t get out.
Wilson said anyone in immediate danger should call 911.
Shelters and assembly areas
Officials said the following locations were being used for sheltering and staging:
- Emergency shelter: Waialua High and Intermediate School
- Assembly/staging areas (higher ground):
- Wahiawa District Park
- Kahuku Elementary School
- Nanakuli High School
Green previously said multiple shelters were activated, including Nanakuli High, Kahuku Elementary, Wahiawa District Park and Wailua High.
Windward Oahu also seeing impacts
For the windward side of Oahu, emergency management said periods of heavy showers are expected to continue developing and moving through, with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour.
Officials said stream levels remain high — especially in the Waiahole, Waikane, and Kahana streams — and runoff impacts to vulnerable low-lying areas and roads are expected to continue through the morning.
National Guard, Coast Guard activated
Green said the National Guard was activated for support, including door-to-door checks coordinated with the City and County of Honolulu and the Honolulu Police Department.
“We’ll have medical personnel out there. As soon as they can get into the area, they’ll be doing it,” he said, adding that some roads were impassable before daylight.
He also said high-water vehicles have been activated and the Coast Guard is preparing for potential water rescues.
Hypothermia cases, rescues from rooftops
Green said some residents were taken to Wahiawa Hospital for hypothermia.
“When people are out in the elements and there’s water around them… up to their chest… they get hypothermic and they need medical care,” he said.
Asked about rescues, Green confirmed that some people were rescued from rooftops, and that rescue operations were continuing.
He also described a report involving about 70 people at a North Shore campsite who were surrounded by water.
“I was told they are safe right now, but they were having difficulty getting out because there was so much water around them,” Green said. He added that he did not know the camp’s name.
Ongoing updates expected
Green said emergency officials planned to continue issuing updates through the day, including a coordinated morning briefing with emergency services.
Officials also urged residents statewide to take flash flood warnings seriously, noting heightened concerns for places like Maui, where burn scars from the 2023 wildfire could increase the risk of fast-moving runoff.
Residents were advised to stay alert, keep in touch with family, and have basic supplies on hand in case conditions worsen or relief is delayed.
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