Aircrews assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei, Hawaii, conduct overflights and assess flash flooding impacts in Waialua and Haleiwa on the north shore of Oahu March 20, 2026. The crews of Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry, Cutter Harriet Lane, Cutter Hollyhock, and Coast Guard Station Honolulu boat crews also responded to the incident and repositioned to conduct any needed rescues. (U.S. Coast Guard video, courtesy Air Station Barbers Point)

by Andrew Walden  (multiple updates)

Honolulu Department of Emergency Management (DEM) is ordering evacuation of Waialua and Haleiwa towns.  Waialua HS is not an evac center, it has been closed and evacuated.  Evac centers have been opened in Wahiawa.  Many roads are closed in the Waialua and Haleiwa areas due to flooding.  (See map.)

As it did last week, DEM is again warning of "imminent risk of failure" of the Lake Wilson Dam in Wahiawa.  After last week's warning, dam owner Dole took exception to the wording and argued that the dam was never at risk of structural failure.

Regardless of the dam situation, there are multiple reports of high water trapping residents.  Emergency vehicles are unable to get in.  The rain gauge at Dillingham Airport on the North Shore shows 7.75 inches in the last 24 hours.

LAKE WILSON DAM WATER LEVEL MONITOR:  HERE  -- UPDATED EVERY 15 MINUTES. 

Lake Wilson water level is still above the 84-foot "minor flooding" mark.  (UPDATE:  As of 11:30AM, water level dropped to 83.92 feet and has continued to drop.)  Per NOAA, 'Minor Flooding' means "Kaukonahua Stream will overflow at Otake Camp in Waialua."  Lake level gauge shows the water level crests at 85.29 feet at 8:40AM and then drops.

Honolulu DEM reported last week that 'dam failure' occurs at 90 feet.  This does not mean structural collapse of the dam.  It means at the 90 foot level, the dam is designed to release uncontrolled water cresting over the top producing flooding in Waialua and Haleiwa.  Dole temporarily raised the overtop level from 88 feet to 90 feet by installing a two-foot tall water bladder across the spillway.

Stream Level Gauge: Kaukonahua Stream blw Wahiawa Reservoir (continuous updates)

Water Flow Gauge: Kaukonahua Stream blw Wahiawa Reservoir (data cut off 2:55am)

Water Level Gauge: Kaukonahua Stream at Waialua (data cut off by flood damage about midnight)

LINK: Hawaii Weather Radar | KHON2

LINK: Windy: Satellite

NOTE:   Waialua HS has been closed and evacuated.  Go to Leilehua HS in Wahiawa, Kahuku ES, or other evacuation centers.  See evacuation map >>> HERE

MEANWHILE:  Lahaina Redux: As Floods Rage, State Commission Warns Property Owners Not to Alter Streambeds

... timeline of alerts from Honolulu DEM ....

HNL Alert 4:58 AM · Mar 21, 2026

The Wahiawa dam continues to be monitored as water levels remain elevated and as the potential for heavy rain continues. Waialua and Hale`iwa continue to be under evacuation orders. Residents who live west of Kaukonahua stream in Waialua are being strongly urged to leave.

LINK: IMAGES

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HNL Alert: 02:13 AM 03-21-2026 - Residents in the Waialua area are strongly urged to LEAVE NOW.

The remaining access road out of Waialua is at high risk of failure if rainfall continues. Details: https://alert.hnlalert.gov

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HNL Alert: 09:15 PM 03-20-2026 - LEAVE NOW. All roads out of Waialua at risk of failure.

Map: https://p.veoci.com/hnlevac Details: https://alert.hnlalert.gov https://manager.everbridge.net/pub/2434011116964752

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HNL Alert: 01:03 PM 03-20-2026 - WAHIAWA DAM HAS NOT FAILED BUT REMAINS AT RISK.

Potential life-threatening flooding of downstream areas. Rain is expected to be light but then increase in intensity over the next few hours. Evacuat https://manager.everbridge.net/pub/2436588097328301

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HNL Alert: 09:00 AM 03-20-2026 - WAHIAWA DAM HAS NOT FAILED BUT IS AT IMMINENT RISK OF FAILURE.

Potential life-threatening flooding of downstream areas. Evacuation order still in effect. Map: https://p.veoci.com/hnlevac LEAVE downstre https://manager.everbridge.net/pub/2436588097324448

Star-Adv: Wahiawa Dam at imminent risk of failure, triggering evacuation order | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

CB: UPDATED: ‘Catastrophic’ North Shore Flooding Prompts Evacuation, Alerts - Honolulu Civil Beat

March 13, 2026: Lake Wilson Dam Failure Fear Eases--Evacuation Warning Lifted for Waialua, Haleiwa

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HNL Alert: 08:41 AM 03-20-2026 - Assembly Area location(s) LOCATION(S) UPDATED due to FLASH FLOODING.

View locations: https://p.veoci.com/hnlshelter An assembly area is a parking lot or outdoor waiting area for people required to tempor https://manager.everbridge.net/pub/2426211456328663

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HNL Alert: 08:34 AM 03-20-2026 - DAM/LEVEE FAILURE IN PROGRESS OR EXPECTED at WAHIAWA DAM.

Potential life-threatening flooding of downstream areas. Evacuation Order for AREAS DOWNSTREAM of WAHIAWA DAM including PARTS OF HALEIWA AN https://manager.everbridge.net/pub/2437172212898006

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HNL Alert: 06:14 AM 03-20-2026 - Assembly Area(s) are OPEN as of 03-20-2026 05:00 AM due to FLASH FLOODING.

View locations: https://p.veoci.com/hnlshelter
An assembly area is a parking lot or outdoor waiting area for people required to temporarily evacuate or unable to get home. Sites are NOT staffed and primary access is to outdoor areas. If possible, bathrooms will be opened.
Assembly Areas(s) are available to all impacted residents and visitors. Pets welcome but must be in a carrier or on a leash.
Details: https://alert.hnlalert.gov

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HNL Alert: 05:35 AM 03-20-2026 - FLASH FLOODING in Waialua and Haleiwa.

Extremely dangerous flooding and Wahiawa Dam is high. An Evacuation Order has been issued for the following area(s): Waialua and Haleiwa. Map: https://manager.everbridge.net/pub/2434011116949685

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HNL Alert: 04:32 AM 03-20-2026 - Emergency shelter open at Waialua High and Intermediate School due to FLASH FLOODING as of 03-20-2026 03:30 AM.

View locations: https://p.veoci.com/hnlshelter Details: https://alert.hnlalert.gov https://manager.everbridge.net/pub/2437172212893787

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HNL Alert: 03:42 AM 03-20-2026 - Catastrophic flash flooding in Waialua and Haleiwa.

If you can evacuate safely, evacuate to higher ground now. Details: https://alert.hnlalert.gov https://manager.everbridge.net/pub/2436588097318812

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HNL Alert: 02:22 AM 03-20-2026 - Due to flooding and heavy rains, emergency vehicles may be delayed in the Waialua and Haleiwa areas at this time.

Continue to call 911 for medical emergencies and help will arrive as soon as it is ab https://manager.everbridge.net/pub/2434011116946907

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HNL Alert: 01:54 AM 03-20-2026 - Flash Flood Warning Updated - Take Action! Dangerous flash flooding is happening or will happen soon.

Move to higher ground. Avoid flooded areas/roads. View forecast details at http://weather.hnlalert.gov. https://manager.everbridge.net/pub/2426211456323049