HONOLULU (AP) — Crews on Tuesday began evaluating damage from a surprise downpour that sent floodwaters raging through a neighborhood near downtown Honolulu — the latest in a series of storms and flooding that have pounded the state over the past two weeks.
Residents along Oahu’s North Shore, known for big wave surfing, were cleaning up after what has been deemed the worst flooding in Hawaii in two decades. A storm on Monday unleashed several inches of rain on the southern part of the island, transforming streets in the Manoa Valley into raging rivers that swept away parked cars.
“I was shocked to see how much flash flooding there was in my area,” said resident Andrew Phomsouvanh, who recorded video showing streets turned into torrents. “The water just keeps coming.”
Maile Mills witnessed her Honda Civic getting submerged as water reached the door handles. The car was ultimately rendered a total loss.
“It looked like rubber ducks in a pond,” Mills reflected. “All the cars started to float.”
The downpour, which dumped 2 to 4 inches of rain an hour in some areas, was highly localized. For instance, one rain gauge in the valley recorded 6 inches while the nearby airport saw only a trace.
Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi characterized the event as a “classic rain bomb,” stating that the day began with sunny skies. “We had no warning,” he remarked while inspecting the damage.
The storm system, described by forecasters as “extremely unusual,” has already caused hundreds of homes to be damaged and prompted evacuations for thousands. The agricultural sector also reported $17 million in damage.
As crews work tirelessly to mitigate the damage and assist residents, officials remain cautiously optimistic that the severe weather may finally be coming to an end.
