Hawaii remains under a statewide flood watch after a severe storm struck the state, prompting officials to order evacuations. Governor Josh Green said on Saturday that the potential for flash floods threatens the island of Oahu and parts of Maui County. The storm that hit over the weekend is the second severe weather event to impact the archipelago in the past week. According to Green, some parts of the state have received 40 to 50 inches (127 cm) of rain in the last 10 days.

In a video statement, Green warned, "Don't take this storm lightly," noting that no deaths have been reported, but there have been several serious injuries. The state has activated a program for people displaced by the storm, allowing them to access discounted hotel rates. In a subsequent post, the governor cautioned that, due to the ground already being saturated by earlier rainfall, "it will take much less rain to trigger flooding, road closures, and damage."

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi stated that damage from the storms could exceed $1 billion (£745 million). At a news conference on Friday, he reported that more than 230 people have been rescued so far. Authorities warned that a dam on Oahu, the state's most populous island, is at risk of collapse. Blangiardi urged residents to "stay safe" and "take the storm as seriously as you can."

Rising floodwaters have lifted homes and cars, leading to evacuation orders for approximately 5,500 people north of the state capital, Honolulu. Roads have been closed across the islands. The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management has issued multiple flash flood warnings and advised residents to move to higher ground and avoid flooded areas. Flood watch warnings have also been issued for Maui, Molokai, and The Big Island.

Governor Green emphasized that the storm will have "serious consequences for us as a state" because it has caused extensive damage to airports, schools, roads, hospitals, and people's homes. At Friday's news conference, he declared, "This is the largest flood that we've had in Hawaii in 20 years." The island is experiencing a "Kona Low," a slow-moving area of low pressure that draws warm, moisture-rich air across the Hawaiian islands, resulting in heavy rain and flash flooding. Some areas have received over 10 inches of rainfall and winds of up to 100 mph (160 km/h). This storm is the latest challenge for the island, which frequently deals with the fallout of natural disasters, such as the 2023 Lahaina wildfires that claimed over 100 lives.

Source: www.bbc.com