HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – The city Department of Emergency Management is urging residents in Waialua and Hāleʻiwa to prepare to evacuate as officials monitor rising water levels at Wahiawā Dam.
Emergency Management Director Randall Collins said the city is issuing a “get ready to go” notice because the situation remains uncertain and there is a risk of dam failure.
“The water level has risen and conditions remain uncertain,” Collins said. “A failure could send water downstream fast and lead to catastrophic flooding.”
Collins said the notice is being issued early “out of an abundance of caution” and residents should be prepared to leave on short notice.
“If you are told to evacuate, leave at once,” Collins said.
View an interactive evacuation map here.
During a media briefing, Collins said the reservoir level was approaching 83 feet, with dam failure occurring at 90 feet.
He said evacuations take significant time to carry out.
“It takes us about three hours to get responders in place and conduct an evacuation,” Collins said, adding that rainfall intensity and the potential for thunderstorms are key variables.
Officials said they are hopeful conditions do not reach the point of failure, but emphasized that action must happen earlier to ensure people can get out safely.
Collins encouraged anyone who needs extra time to evacuate — including kūpuna, families with small children, people with disabilities, and anyone who needs help with transportation or medical equipment — to consider leaving now.
“If you need extra time, leave now,” he said.
DEM urged residents to have a plan to move quickly and to prepare supplies for at least three days, including:
Go-bag itemsMedicationsImportant documentsPhone chargersFood/water and other essentialsPet supplies (keep pets with you)
Collins warned residents to stay off flooded roads and never drive through standing water.
Thunderstorms remain possible, he said, and rainfall rates can increase with little warning.
Collins said evacuation shelters were not close to full. The closest shelter had about 11 people at last report and has capacity for more.
The nearest shelters are located at Waialua High and Intermediate, George Fred Wright Wahiawa District Park, and Kahuku Elementary. View a full list of shelters here.
Officials said updates will be provided as new information becomes available.
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