Quick Read
- Mandatory evacuation orders are in place for Oahu’s North Shore due to severe flash flooding and the risk of critical road failures.
- Approximately 4,200 Hawaiian Electric customers remain without power as crews await the lifting of evacuation orders to begin safety inspections.
- Emergency response efforts are currently being led by the Hawaii National Guard and the Coast Guard, with active monitoring of the Wahiawa Dam.
HONOLULU (Azat TV) – Emergency officials in Hawaii have issued mandatory evacuation orders for residents in Waialua and Haleiwa as a persistent Kona-low storm system triggers catastrophic flash flooding across Oahu’s North Shore. As of late March 20, 2026, authorities warned that remaining exit routes out of Waialua are at critical risk of failure, prompting urgent calls for residents to vacate the area immediately.
Infrastructure Crisis and Dam Monitoring
The situation remains fluid as municipal agencies monitor the status of the Wahiawa Dam. While officials reported that reservoir levels were trending downward, they cautioned that the ground remains heavily saturated and additional rainfall is expected to continue through the weekend. The primary concern is the Kaukonahua Stream, where downstream communities face the dual threat of rising water levels and potential infrastructure collapse.
Multi-Agency Rescue and Power Outages
The scale of the crisis has triggered a massive response involving the Hawaii National Guard and the U.S. Coast Guard. High-water vehicle teams have been deployed to assist residents in isolated zones, while Coast Guard aircraft and vessels conduct search and rescue operations to locate any individuals in distress. Meanwhile, Hawaiian Electric has proactively disconnected power to approximately 4,200 customers in the affected regions. Officials confirmed that restoration efforts cannot commence until floodwaters recede and safety inspections are completed, which may require daylight hours to perform.
Statewide Impact of the Kona-Low System
The flooding on Oahu is part of a broader weather event affecting the entire state, with flood watches remaining in effect through Sunday afternoon. Beyond the North Shore, authorities in Maui County have issued evacuation advisories for neighborhoods in Iao Valley and Kihei as retention basins approach capacity. Forecasters at the National Weather Service warn that the slow-moving storm system continues to pull deep moisture toward the islands, creating persistent risks for landslides and impassable roadways across the region.
The severity of the current flooding highlights the vulnerability of aging infrastructure in the face of increasingly intense Kona-low weather events, where the intersection of saturated terrain and limited exit corridors creates a compounding risk that necessitates proactive, rather than reactive, emergency management.