Update, 9:30 a.m.:
In addition to flooding and other severe weather impacts on O`ahu, the current storms have also affected some operations and services across the City and County of Honolulu.
In an announcement issued just before 9 a.m. the city notes that:
Department of Parks and Recreation
- George Fred Wright Wahiawā District Park is being used as an assembly area for anyone needing refuge from the severe weather. Other assembly areas include Waialua High, Kahuku Elementary, and Nānākuli High schools. These sites are pet friendly.
Find a current list of the city's shelters and assembly areas here.The list will be updated throughout the storm and updates also will be sent via HNL Alert. - Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve, all Honolulu Botanical Gardens (through this weekend), and several play fields including Patsy T. Mink Central O`ahu Regional Park are closed.
- All permitted camping has been suspended through March 26. Regularly permitted park activities, programs and phone access for recreation staff are suspended as park staff assist with emergency operations.
Department of Transportation Services
For TheBus, Route 521 service remains suspended; Route 52 service is suspended north of Wahiawā; Route 60 service is suspended between Haleʻiwa and Kahaluʻu (Kamehameha/Kahekili at Hygienic Store), and Route 403 service is suspended on Paʻakea Road.
TheHandi-Van is operating normally, but users leaving or bound for North Shore and East Oʻahu (between Waialua and Kahaluʻu) may not be able to start or complete their trip.
No Skyline issues have been reported.
Update, 9 a.m.:
The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management says in an alert issued just after 9 a.m. that the Wahiawā Dam has not failed but is at "imminent risk of failure." Evacuation orders are still in effect.
Update, 8:50 a.m.:
The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management says in an alert issued just after 8:30 a.m. that failure of the Wahiawā Dam is in progress or expected, which has the potential for "life-threatening flooding and catastrophic amounts of fast-moving water in downstream areas."
An evacuation order has been issued for all of Haleʻiwa between Puuiki Street and Kamehameha Highway and areas of Waialua between Kukea Circle to Otake Camp.
The alert says to use Kamehameha Highway Wahiawā-bound onto Kamananui Road and left to Wilikina Drive to evacuate. Do not use Kaukonahua Roard to access Wahiawā. The Karsten Thot Bridge on Kamehameha Highway also is closed. All traffic is routed to Kamananui Road.
Find a map and evacuation route here.
Assembly areas are open at Wahiawā District Park, Leilehua High School, and Kahuku Elementary School. Waialua High and Intermediate School assembly area is closed due to flood conditions in the area.
Those in the evacuation area should take the following actions and leave now:
- Gather family members. Assist neighbors who need help evacuating if you can do so safely.
- Bring pets if you can locate and secure them quickly.
- Do not delay to pack or prepare your home. Take only essential items you have ready to go NOW.
- Alert neighbors who may not have received this message if you are able to do so safely and quickly.
Do not walk or drive through moving water or on flooded roadways, the alert says, and stay out of the area until emergency officials advise it is safe to return.
Original:
Click here for a map of assembly locations for evacuations being urged by the National Weather Service.
"An assembly area is a parking lot or outdoor waiting area for people required to temporarily evacuate or unable to get home," said the O‘ahu Department of Emergency Management in a statement Friday morning. "Sites are NOT staffed and primary access is to outdoor areas. If possible, bathrooms will be opened.
"Assembly Areas(s) are available to all impacted residents and visitors. Pets welcome but must be in a carrier or on a leash.
"Evacuation Bus Information: TheBus is mobilizing evacuation bus resources to Waialua/HaleCiwa as of 6:00am and can direct them to any safe staging point in Haleʻiwa. Deployed buses will be marked with "EVACUATION" on signage and may be flagged down at any safe location (not necessarily at bus stops) to board and evacuate. No fares required.
"However, major service disruption in Waialua and Haleʻiwa. No service on Route 521. Routes 52 and 60 operating only to Weed Circle in Haleʻiwa. Routes 60 and 88A service impacted: No service between Waimea Valley and Kahaluʻu (Kamehameha/Kahekili at Hygienic Store)."
Officials urge evacuees to, if possible, bring a Go Bag with essential supplies including medications.
"Assembly Areas are pet friendly but pets must be in a carrier or leash. Bring pet food and other essential supplies to care for your pet if you can."
Monitor https://alert.hnlalert.gov for updates.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for all islands through Sunday afternoon.
More urgently, it issued, at 7:43 a.m., a flash floor emergency for Northern O‘ahu:
"Emergency management reported widespread life-threatening flash flooding effects continuing across northern O‘ahu, particularly in the Hale‘iwa and Waialua areas.
"Although rainfall rates have temporarily decreased, significant runoff continues to produce high water levels, including the Wahiawa Reservoir which continues to rise.
"Additional bands of heavy rainfall moving in from the southwest will continue over the area throughout the day, which could lead to renewed rises in water levels and worsening flooding conditions.
"The Wahiawa Reservoir (Lake Wilson) remains elevated, with water levels continuing to rise from runoff, despite a break in the heavy rainfall. Additional rises in this reservoir could further exacerbate downstream flooding along the streams, particularly near Otake Camp in Waialua. For the windward side of Oahu, periods of heavy showers will continue to develop and move through, with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Water levels in the streams remain high, especially in the Waiahole, Waikane, and Kahana streams. Runoff impacting vulnerable low lying areas and roads will continue through the morning hours.
"This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for Northern Oahu. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!"
