Hawaii's heaviest rainstorm in 20 years threatens dam
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Back-to-back kona storms drop over a foot of rain, threaten an Oahu dam and trigger evacuations as parts of Hawaii face record rainfall and ongoing impacts
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Thousands evacuate on Oahu as flooding raises fears of dam failure
Thousands of residents on Oahu’s North Shore were ordered to evacuate on March 20, 2026, after torrential rain from a Kona Low storm system pushed the 120-year-old Wahiawa Dam toward potential failure.
Hundreds of people have been rescued as severe flooding batters Hawaii’s Oahu island, prompting evacuation orders near a dam officials feared could overtop as water levels rose.
Hawaii is resilient in the face of severe flooding across its islands following two back-to-back storms with heavy rainfall.
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 already battered Hawaiian islands may face more flooding today, with a flood watch still in effect for the Big Island and a flood advisory in Maui issued through Monday afternoon