Hawaii Severe Weather Floods

More than 200 people were rescued Friday as heavy rains pummeled the Hawaiian island of Oahu and triggered the worst flooding the island has in 20 years. Hawaii Gov. Josh Green says the damage could top $1 billion. Muddy floodwaters from severe rains have inundated communities and prompted evacuation orders for more than 5,500 people in towns north of Honolulu. Officials are warning about the possible failure of a 120-year-old dam. Officials have been watching dam levels since a storm last week dumped heavy rain across the state, which led to catastrophic flooding that washed away roads and homes.

Hawaii has been suffering its worst flooding in more than 20 years. Heavy rains fell on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago, and officials said more rain is expected over the weekend. Muddy floodwaters smothered vast stretches of Oahu’s North Shore, world-renowned for its big-wave surfing. Raging waters lifted homes and cars and prompted temporary evacuation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu. Authorities cautioned that a 120-year-old dam could fail. Gov. Josh Green said the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, homes and a Maui hospital.