Honolulu May Evacuate 10,000 As Water Levels Rise In Dam

HONOLULU — Honolulu officials on Thursday prepared for the possible evacuation of 10,000 people from a residential neighborhood after rains from a tropical storm dangerously elevated water levels in a reservoir.

Olivia crossed the state Wednesday, dumping heavy rains on Maui and Oahu. Meteorologists say the tropical storm is now downgraded to a tropical depression moving west away from the islands.

The city’s Board of Water Supply said Thursday the water level in Nuuanu Dam #1 is about 1.5 feet (0.5 meters) below the spillway.

The agency said it’s been siphoning excess water to keep the water below the spillway but rains outstripped its siphoning capacity.

It’s also working with the fire department to pump water out of the dam to bring levels down further.

The agency, which is the water utility for nearly 1 million people in Honolulu and surrounding towns on Oahu, said it would coordinate with the city on any evacuation notice.

Andrew Pereira, a spokesman for the city, urged residents to be aware of the situation.

“While it appears the rain is subsiding, we are taking a cautious approach and asking residents to remain on alert,” he said in an email.


Tropical Storm Olivia brought floods to Maui and Molokai, two of Hawaii’s major islands, on Sept. 12, 2018. (AP video)


Forecasters said Tropical Storm Olivia could dump 5 to 10 inches of rain on Hawaii, with some places getting as much as 15 inches. (Sept. 12)

Meteorologists say moisture will linger through Friday, with additional rainfall of 3 to 5 inches (8 to 13 centimeters) and isolated amounts of 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) on higher terrain.

That could cause life-threatening flash floods because the ground is already saturated, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said in a statement.

The storm, which was a hurricane earlier in the week, slowly weakened as it neared the state.

President Donald Trump has signed a disaster declaration, which will help FEMA respond, Gov. David Ige said.

By CALEB JONES and AUDREY McAVOY - Sep 13. 2108 - 6:18 PM EDT
AP

 
 

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