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Jason Momoa Urges Evacuation Amidst Severe Flooding in Hawaii; Dam Failure Fears Rise
๐Ÿ‡ฑ๐Ÿ‡น Lithuania /Disasters & Emergencies

Jason Momoa Urges Evacuation Amidst Severe Flooding in Hawaii; Dam Failure Fears Rise

From Delfi · (6m ago) Lithuanian Critical tone

Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Approximately 5,500 residents in Hawaii were ordered to evacuate due to severe flooding caused by the "Kona Low" storm.
  • The storm brought heavy rainfall to an already saturated area, and a 120-year-old dam is at risk of failure, potentially causing a larger catastrophe.
  • Actor Jason Momoa, a Hawaii native, shared an emotional video urging people to evacuate and expressing concern for those without safe options.

Hawaii is grappling with the devastating impact of the "Kona Low" storm, which has triggered the most severe flooding in over two decades, forcing the evacuation of thousands. The relentless rainfall has overwhelmed the already saturated ground, exacerbating the crisis. Adding to the peril, a century-old dam is showing signs of strain, raising fears of a catastrophic failure that could unleash even greater destruction upon communities already struggling to cope.

My family is with me. We have evacuated from the North Shore. Many have asked. Obviously emotional, Momoa continued: "The power is out. We are safe for now, but there are many people who do not have the same opportunity, so we send all our love to everyone."

โ€” Jason MomoaSharing an update on his family's safety and expressing concern for others during the storm.

Among those forced to flee their homes is beloved actor Jason Momoa, a proud son of Honolulu. In an emotional video shared with his millions of followers on Instagram, Momoa conveyed the urgency of the situation, confirming his family's safety while emphasizing the plight of many others who lack such options. His heartfelt plea for safety and solidarity resonated deeply, highlighting the human cost of the disaster.

The damage caused by the storm could exceed approximately 920 million euros.

โ€” Josh GreenHawaii Governor, estimating the financial impact of the storm.

Governor Josh Green estimates the damage could exceed $920 million, impacting critical infrastructure like airports, schools, and roads, as well as homes and a hospital. The National Weather Service issued flood advisories across the state, with a particular warning for flash floods on the north shore of Oahu. Residents in the threatened town of Waimฤnalo were urgently advised to evacuate, as the sole remaining exit route faced the risk of becoming impassable. While no fatalities have been reported, ten individuals were hospitalized for hypothermia, underscoring the immediate dangers posed by the extreme weather conditions.

This will have very serious consequences for our state.

โ€” Josh GreenGovernor of Hawaii, commenting on the severe impact of the storm.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.