Torrential rain triggers dangerous flash flooding in Hawaii, forcing thousands of evacuations

05:29

Evacuation orders in place on Oahu for imminent dam failure causing catastrophic flooding

The north shore of Oahu received more than a foot of rain overnight on Thursday, causing intense flooding. National Weather Service Honolulu issued a flash flood warning within a flash flood emergency for Honolulu County, due to an imminent dam collapse. Evacuations are underway in Waialua and Hale'iwa for the risk of threatening flooding. To talk about the dangers and forecast is NWS Honolulu Meteorologist Joseph Clark. 

HONOLULU COUNTY, Hawaii — Nonstop rain has inundated Hawaii, as two back-to-back kona low storm systems have slammed the island of O'ahu, triggering a Flash Flood Emergency Friday and forcing evacuations as dangerous floodwaters entered homes and businesses.

Hawaii is need of a break after nearly 50 inches of rain drenched the Aloha State over the past week, with more than a foot of that falling since Thursday. The threat continues into the weekend as Flood Watches remain in effect statewide through Sunday afternoon, with more heavy rain this weekend expected to elevate the flood risk for the battered island chain yet again.

Torrential rain has forced first responders into action as dangerous floodwaters have cut off entire towns, inundated roads and swamped homes.

Flooding reached a dangerous peak Friday when a Flash Flood Emergency was issued over concerns of "imminent failure" at Wahiawa Dam in Honolulu County, prompting evacuation orders for Waialua and Haleʻiwa.

The National Weather Service office in Honolulu joined FOX Weather on Friday amid the evacuations.

"The Wahiawa Reservoir has risen to 85 feet, which is the critical threshold for issuing that particular warning," NWS Meteorologist Joseph Clark said.

Hawaii's Department of Transportation said catastrophic flooding was ongoing predawn Friday in Waialua and Haleiwa, where people were urged to evacuate to higher ground or higher floors within their homes.

Stranded residents told FOX Weather that people were on their roofs with their animals and were told by 911 operators that first responders were unable to reach them.

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00:18

Watch: Floodwaters reach SUV windows in Hawaii during Flash Flood Emergency

Flash flooding swamped the town of Haleiwa early Friday. According to the NWS, local emergency management says the town is cut off by floodwaters. Stranded residents told FOX Weather that people are on their roofs with their animals and have been told by 911 operators that first responders are unable to reach them.

On Friday, local emergency management told the NWS that the town of Haleiwa had been cut off by floodwaters.

The state DOT reported that Farrington Highway has been shut down in both directions at Kea'au Beach Park due to extreme flooding and the NWS received a report early Friday that Waialua Beach Road was 2–3 feet underwater.

Thousands across Hawaii remained without power Friday night, with more than 6,000 customers in Honolulu County left off the grid amid dangerous storm conditions, according to data from PowerOutage.com.

Honolulu Fire Department crews safely evacuated then airlifted 72 campers and 2 dogs from Our Lady of Keaʻau with support from Air1 and Hawaiʻi Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopters.

(Honolulu Fire Department)

Downed powerlines, road closures, property damage from flooding, landslides and sinkholes have also been reported.

Photos obtained by FOX Weather showed water almost covering the tops of SUVs in Laie in the predawn hours Friday.

KNOW YOUR FLOOD TERMINOLOGY: WHAT FLOOD WATCHES, WARNINGS AND EMERGENCIES REALLY MEAN

Photos obtained by FOX Weather showed water almost covering the tops of SUVs in Laie in the predawn hours Friday.

(Tyrone Brown/Facebook / FOX Weather)

Rain continued to pour across Hawaii, with over a foot of rain already falling since Thursday across the North Pacific island chain.

The drenching rain is from yet another Kona Low system that is impacting the state.

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This comes after an initial Kona Low storm caused torrential rain and hurricane-force winds, leading to flash flooding around the Aloha State and blizzard conditions in the mountains earlier this month.

WHAT IS A KONA LOW?

The Hawaii State Department of Health issued multiple brown water advisories for residents and visitors to avoid affected ocean waters due to the excessive stormwater runoff that may have a high bacteria count and can lead to health hazards. These advisories are still in place.

06:03

Motorists navigate through flooded Maui streets

Motorists navigated through the flooded streets in Maui County as a powerful Kona low impacted the region. Major flooding was also observed on Big Island and Oahu.

7 FACTS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FLASH FLOODS

Ahead of the storm, Governor Josh Green issued an emergency proclamation on March 9 to allow the state to take proactive steps to protect public health and safety, coordinate resources across agencies and support county emergency response efforts as conditions developed.

"Our priority is keeping the people of Hawaiʻi safe," Governor Green said. "By issuing this emergency proclamation now, we are ensuring that state and county agencies have the resources and flexibility needed to respond quickly to flooding, severe weather and any impacts this storm may bring."

As the Kona Low progressed throughout the week, Maui Emergency Management Agency and the American Red Cross opened shelters, which more than 100 residents are still utilizing countywide.

PHOTOS: LANDSLIDE BLOCKS HIGHWAY AS SEVERE STORM DROPS MONUMENTAL AMOUNT OF RAIN IN HAWAII

Meanwhile, the city and county of Honolulu released an online form for residents to report damage to their homes.

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Into the weekend and early next week, the detrimental storm system isn't letting up just yet.

Another widespread 3–5 inches of rain is expected across nearly all the islands, with higher elevations picking up 8–12 inches and localized totals once again exceeding a foot, according to the FOX Forecast Center.

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03:34

Maui resident without power after Kona Low causes damage and flooding

Maui resident Brittany Wagner joins FOX Weather to talk about the Kona Low that has left her without power for over 36 hours, and caused damage and flooding nearby.

For perspective of this significant rain system, Honolulu’s annual average rainfall is 16.41 inches—an amount that could be reached in this month alone. The city has already recorded more than 14 inches of rain this year, not including Friday’s totals.

Stay with FOX Weather as this storm continues to unfold.