Hawaii Faces Historic $1 Billion Loss in Worst Flooding Event in Two Decades

Hawaii is grappling with unprecedented flooding that has displaced thousands and inflicted damage exceeding $1 billion. Meanwhile, search teams are tirelessly looking for an elderly woman who was swept away by the raging waters.

Authorities have called for evacuations across severely impacted regions of Oahu and Maui on Saturday, as the islands endure their most severe flooding in over two decades. The catastrophic conditions were triggered by torrential rains that saturated already soaked ground, following a winter storm just a week earlier.

The search efforts have intensified for a 71-year-old woman who reportedly disappeared into a swollen stream on Saturday.

Witnesses last observed her near an encampment by the Iao Stream on Waiehu Beach Road. She was attempting to collect water with a basket when she accidentally fell into the current, as reported by the Maui Police Department.

Rescue teams have been conducting thorough ground searches along the riverbanks and in nearby areas. They have also deployed helicopters and jet skis for air and sea searches, though the woman remains missing. The search operations are continuing with determination.

Meanwhile, Governor Josh Green estimated that the damage to both public and private sectors will cost over $1 billion, as a statewide flood watch remains in effect through Sunday.

‘You can see the flood levels are significant. We’ll have over $1 billion of damage, it appears,’ he told CNN on Saturday.

‘We’ve had 40 to 50 inches of rain, the largest flood that we’ve had in 20 years. This has been going on for about 11 days. We did have two terrible injuries that resulted in spinal cord injuries. One hospital went down and has been wiped out on Maui.’

Crews are searching for a missing 71-year-old who allegedly fell into an inundated stream on Saturday as officials urged people in hard-hit areas across Oahu (pictured) and Maui to evacuate

Hawaii Governor Josh Green estimated that the damage to both public and private sectors will cost over $1 billion

He added, ‘We’ve had 236 people get rescued. We had a whole camp that had to be rescued. This is spring break for the public schools, and people were isolated and trapped in certain areas. There were people that were on rooftops.’

At a Friday press conference, Green explained the $1 billion estimate includes ‘damage to the airports, a major hospital that’s been damaged on Maui.’

He added, ‘Lots of damage at schools, roads, and then of course, the innumerable events that have happened at people’s homes where they’ve lost structure and it will have to be repaired.’

Authorities have also warned that the Wahiawa Dam on Oahu was at risk of failure, prompting urgent evacuation orders for communities downstream in Haleiwa and Waialua on the island’s North Shore. 

According to the National Weather Service, most of Hawaii will remain under a flood watch through Sunday afternoon. This includes the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island. 

Hollywood star Jason Momoa was among thousands of Hawaiians forced to flee as a powerful storm battered the islands, causing dangerous, potentially fatal flooding. 

Momoa took to Instagram and revealed he fled the North Shore after losing power and was with his family.

‘We’re safe now, but there’s a lot of people who weren’t, so sending all our love,’ he said.

According to the National Weather Service, most of Hawaii will remain under a flood watch through Sunday afternoon. Pictured: a washed out road on Oahu on Saturday

The flooding was caused by heavy rainfalls on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago. Pictured: flooded vehicles in Waialua on Saturday

The Aquaman actor also shared footage of flooding near his father’s home, calling the destruction ‘crazy’ and pleading with his followers to stay safe.

Momoa said the dangerous weather forced him to cancel a music event planned for the weekend.

The actor, who was born in Honolulu, posted on Instagram ahead of the weekend that the past weeks had been ‘heavy’ for his home state.

‘The storms, the flooding, the constant rain across Oahu have affected so many of our people, especially those already facing hardship,’ Momoa said.

‘Seeing families displaced, communities struggling, and our unhoused neighbors hit the hardest…’

Momoa encouraged locals to check in on neighbors ahead of the dangerous next few days.

‘That’s what aloha is,’ Momoa wrote. ‘It’s showing up for each other when it matters most.’