Intense rains threaten Hawaii dam, thousands told to evacuate

AFP

21 Mar, 2026 03:23 AMQuick Read

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A dam on the Hawaiian island of Oahu is at imminent risk of failure and thousands of residents have been ordered to evacuate. Photo / Getty Images

Officials in Hawaii today ordered some 4000 people living near an ageing dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region.

The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii’s third-largest island, which is home to the state capital
Honolulu, “is at imminent risk of failure”, the local emergency management agency warned.

There is “potential life-threatening flooding” in areas below the dam, it added.

“LEAVE downstream area NOW!” it said, recommending that people carpool to ease traffic congestion.

Hawaii Governor Josh Green said torrential rains have caused “serious flooding” and brought water in the reservoir to dangerous levels, prompting authorities to issue the alert.