More than 230 people rescued during worst Hawaii flooding in 20 years

Hawaii officials urged residents in the hardest-hit areas to evacuate Saturday as the state faced its worst flooding in more than two decades. The deluge followed heavy rains that soaked ground already saturated by a winter storm a week earlier, with additional rainfall expected through the weekend.

Muddy floodwaters inundated large portions of Oahu’s North Shore, a region known globally for big-wave surfing. 

Powerful currents swept up homes and vehicles and triggered evacuation orders for about 5,500 people north of Honolulu, though those orders were later lifted. 

Officials also warned that a 120-year-old dam was at risk of failing.

On Maui, authorities elevated an evacuation advisory to a warning for parts of Lahaina, which is still recovering from a deadly 2023 wildfire.

Officials have described the situation as the worst flooding in 20 years. 

So far, more than 230 people have been rescued from the flooding.