Dramatic aerial photos show devastating floods in Hawaii after state of emergency declared
Flash flood watch remains in place across entire state until Wednesday evening
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Your support makes all the difference.Dramatic aerial footage has revealed the devastating damage caused by “catastrophic” flash floods in a town in Hawaii after the state’s governor declared a state of emergency in the wake of severe weather.
Footage taken in Haleiwa Town of Oahu on Tuesday shows homes and roads completely submerged in water following a day of severe rains which triggered flooding.
In a statement posted online on Tuesday, Honolulu’s Department of Emergency Management warned of “catastrophic flooding” in the area.
“YOU ARE IN DANGER. LEAVE NOW,” an evacuation order preceding the significant damage to homes and communities read.
The order, placed on the town at around 4pm on Tuesday, was lifted later the same evening at around 11.30pm but road closures in the town continued into Wednesday.
While residents were given the all-clear to return, a flash flood warning remained in place in Oahu until just past midnight, when it was replaced by a flash flood watch.
On Tuesday, the state’s governor David Ige declared a state of emergency following the heavy rains to “free up state general funds” to help those impacted by the severe weather.
“I’ve just signed an emergency proclamation for the State of Hawaii after heavy rains and flooding caused extensive damage to both public and private property across the islands,” he wrote.
A flash flood watch also remains posted for the entire state until Wednesday evening with the National Weather Service (NWS) warning that “significant flooding may occur”.
“Roads in several areas may be closed, along with property damage in urban or low lying spots due to runoff. Landslides may also occur in areas with steep terrain,” the NWS said.
The harsh weather comes only days after heavy rains breached a dam in Kaupakalua dam in the island’s northern region in the Haiku area of Maui, where evacuation orders remain in place.
At least half a dozen homes were heavily damaged or destroyed in the flooding, according to early reports, county officials said.
According to KGMB two bridges in the area buckled under the flooding and became impassable as Kaupakalua Bridge was heavily damaged and Peahi Bridge was destroyed.
“When you see flood damage in the light of day, it’s a reminder of the sheer power of fast-moving water,” said Maui’s Mayor Michael Victorino.
He added: “We are so fortunate there were no reported deaths or injuries. I want to publicly thank our first responders who did heroic work under very dangerous conditions.”
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