Wahiawa Dam possible failure prompts evacuation warning

The Wahiawa Dam is at risk of breaching, the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management said today in a news conference.

The agency issued an evacuation warning and encouraged those in the area from Waialua to Haleiwa to evacuate or get ready to evacuate “out of an abundance of caution.”

The warning comes after those in Otake Camp were already ordered to evacuate due to excessive flooding.

Dr. Randal Collins, director of the agency, said the reservoir’s water level was 83 feet as of 6 p.m. Dam failure occurs at 90 feet, he said.

“There is a risk of dam failure,” Collins said. “A failure could send water downstream fast and lead to catastrophic flooding.”

Collins said those in the area should prepare to evacuate on short notice and those who need extra time should leave immediately.