Flash Flood Emergency Evacuation Map as People Told 'Leave Now'

A flash flood emergency evacuation map has been released for Oahu, Hawaii, where officials have urged residents within the path of a life-threatening flash flood to "leave now" as catastrophic flooding threatens northern parts of the island. The mapped evacuation area—covering Haleiwa, Waialua, and communities downstream of the Wahiawa Dam—corresponds to the National Weather Service’s (NWS) highest-tier flood alert, issued early Friday as more than 138,000 people were placed under a life‑threatening flash flood emergency. The flash flood emergency, issued at 3:16 a.m. HST, was originally set to expire at 5 a.m. but was extended until 8 a.m. local time.

The City and County of Honolulu pushed out additional alerts through its emergency notification system, urging downstream communities near the Wahiawa Dam—including parts of Haleiwa and Waialua—to leave immediately. "

Leave Now

or go to high ground or the highest floor of your home if you are in the evacuation area," the alert said. The emergency comes after Hawaii weathered a week of incredibly heavy rainfall from a Kona low storm system, which produced months' worth of rain in some parts of the island. The current rainfall is associated with a second Kona low system that will bring impacts to the state through Sunday, NWS meteorologist Robert Bohlin told Newsweek. ”

This type of flooding is not normal," Bohlin said. "

It is very, very excessive. It's in the realm of possibility, but this intense type of rainfall and kona lows in general are fairly rare. The flooding at this level is extremely rare." Dangerous flash floods had cut off some road access in and out of Haleiwa, the flash flood emergency said. ”

Emergency evacuation routes out of Haleiwa and Waialua are: Kaukonahua Road and Leong Bypass," the Honolulu alert said. ”

Assembly areas are available at Waialua High and Intermediate School and Wahiawa District Park." People residing within the evacuation area were urged to gather their family members, assist neighbors who might need help evacuating, bring pets if they could be located and secured quickly, and take only essential items. "

Do not delay to pack or prepare your home. Take only essential items you have ready to go NOW," the alert said. "

Alert neighbors who may not have received this message if you are able to do so safely and quickly.

Do Not

walk or drive through moving water or on flooded roadways." Meteorologists warned that additional heavy bands of rain are expected to move across Oahu through Sunday, fueled by lingering moisture from the Kona low system. With streams rising rapidly, blocked drainage systems, and saturated ground, further flash flooding remains likely in the hours ahead.

Residents are being urged to stay informed through official alerts, avoid all waterways, and remain off flooded roads.