Hawaii flooding causes extensive damage
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Hawaii had two 100-year storms in three weeks. Now engineers are reckoning with infrastructure built for a climate that no longer exists.
County officials are still surveying damage as second Kona low storm rolls in, and anticipate millions of dollars more will be needed.
A powerful kona storm continues to hit Maui County, forcing widespread road closures and property damage from flooding, landslides, sinkholes, downed power lines and other impacts. National Weather Service anticipates severe weather will continue through Sunday for Maui County.
From Friday to Monday morning, the Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety responded to at least 58 storm-related calls, including 32 for flooding emergencies, five for sparking power lines,
Mayor Rick Blangiardi said first responders conducted 233 rescues during the storm, with no reported fatalities.
Hawaii has been pounded for over a week by back-to-back storms. Weather officials said that 10 to 14 inches of rain fell on Thursday into Friday on Oahu, unleashing severe flooding. The storm has moved to Maui,
In Maui, so-called kona storms are affecting the areas where wildfires have grown more frequent and intense, creating a feedback loop of environmental consequences.
From the period beginning Friday morning, March 13, to Monday morning, March 16, the Maui County Department of Fire and Public Safety responded to at least 58 calls specifically related to the kona storm that impacted the County over the weekend.
More than 230 people have been rescued so far, the authorities said on Friday.
The already battered Hawaiian islands may face more flooding today, with a flood watch still in effect for the Big Island and a flood advisory in Maui issued through Monday afternoon