Dangerous Flooding Hits Oahu, Prompting Evacuations and Dam Collapse Warning

Heavy rains pummel Hawaii's Oahu island for the second time in a week, leading to flash flood emergency and potential dam failure.

Mar. 21, 2026 at 1:42am

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Dangerous flooding is impacting Hawaii's Oahu island, prompting evacuations and a warning from local officials of a possible dam collapse at the Wahiawa Dam. An evacuation order was issued for Haleiwa and Waialua, with the dam at 'imminent risk of failure.' The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood emergency for northern Oahu, reporting 'life-threatening flash flooding' and 'catastrophic' flooding conditions. The Hawaii National Guard has been activated, and the governor is coordinating with state and county partners to support evacuations and keep communities safe.

Why it matters

Oahu has experienced severe weather and flooding events in recent years, with the latest incident coming just a week after a previous damaging flood. The potential failure of the Wahiawa Dam could lead to catastrophic flooding and loss of life in downstream areas, highlighting the need for robust infrastructure and emergency preparedness in the face of extreme weather.

The details

According to officials, the Wahiawa Dam has not failed yet, but is at 'imminent risk of failure.' Floodwaters have already cut off road access in and out of Haleiwa, and widespread flooding of roadways and low-lying areas is ongoing. The National Weather Service has warned of the potential for mudslides in steep terrain areas, and more heavy rain is forecast for the region throughout the day and into the weekend.

  • The evacuation order for Haleiwa and Waialua was issued early Friday morning local time.
  • The flash flood emergency for northern Oahu was issued earlier Friday morning.
  • The heavy rain is expected to continue through Friday and Saturday, with the Big Island getting the heaviest rain on Sunday.

The players

Oahu Emergency Management

The agency that issued the evacuation order and warning about the potential dam collapse.

Josh Green

The governor of Hawaii, who said the Hawaii National Guard has been activated and other resources are being deployed across Oahu.

National Weather Service in Honolulu

The agency that issued the flash flood emergency and warnings about the severe weather and flooding conditions.

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What they’re saying

“Potential for life-threatening flooding and catastrophic amounts of fast-moving water in downstream areas.”

— Oahu Emergency Management

“We are coordinating closely with state and county partners to support evacuations, open shelters, and keep our communities safe.”

— Josh Green, Governor of Hawaii

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing threat of extreme weather and the need for robust infrastructure and emergency preparedness in Hawaii, as the state continues to grapple with the impacts of climate change and severe storms.