Over 2 dozen homes severely damaged by flooding on Kaua‘i; assessments ongoing

Damage assessments are nearing completion following last weekendʻs heavy flooding on Kauaʻi, according to the American Red Cross, finding approximately 30 homes with major damages and three to four households have vacated their properties.  

“If it’s your home, that’s all that matters to you is that your home is lost,” said Padraic Gallagher, the director of disaster services for American Red Cross Kaua‘i, in an interview on Wednesday afternoon.

American Red Cross, along with county officials and the National Guard, have been assessing houses for damages following the weekend storm – a process that Gallagher says is about 95% complete. 

As of Wednesday afternoon, the County of Kauaʻi reported receiving 157 damage reports from residences, 12 from businesses, and four from farms. 

The number of homes found to have sustained major damages was 30 on Wednesday afternoon, according to Gallagher. But that number may continue to rise until assessments have been completed. 

Gallagher defined major damage as properties flooded with at least 18 inches of water in a primary living space (living room, kitchen, or bedroom). The most severe damages occurred on primary homes, not vacation homes or businesses. 

The three to four families forced out of their homes are staying with nearby family and friends. It has not yet been determined whether their houses are recoverable.

“This was a big discussion that we’ve had with higher-ups because they’re wondering what we should be doing,” Gallagher said. “Some of these homes, this is the fifth time that this has happened.” 

The most significant damages occurred in Kōloa, the Wailua Houselots, and Hanamāʻulu, where in addition to property damages, there were also damages to roads and infrastructure. 

The storm started in the evening of April 11, and went into the next morning, bringing 12 inches of rain to the island. Inclement weather returned on April 13 and April 14, which furthered damages, repeating road closures due to debris, landslides, heavy ponding and fallen trees.   

Elton Ushio, the head of Kauaʻiʻs Emergency Management Agency (KEMA), also discussed the impacts of the flood on infrastructure.

“It was a significant rain event that affected communities almost completely around the island with damage reports coming in from the extreme west side, down to the south Shore, right around the east side and up north as far as Kīlauea,” Ushio said. 

“Much of what has been damaged has been at least temporarily repaired. There are some areas that are going to take longer,” he said. “But we are conducting damage assessments as we speak.” 

The most significant road damage was caused by a drill rig that fell onto the Wailua Bridge, resulting in heavy traffic and lane closures. Debris cleanup at the bridge and other sites will cost approximately $700,000, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The North Shore experienced the smallest impact but needed to temporarily close the Kūhiō Highway in Hanalei. The storm also resulted in the temporary loss of the Hanalei River upstream gauges, which work to provide notice of floodwaters.

“Thankfully … we donʻt anticipate any heavy rain event that would result in flooding,” Ushio said, who noted the county is working with the U.S. Geological Survey to restore the gauge quickly.

 Additionally, a total of 26 people were rescued and moved to higher ground after being stranded in their homes or vehicles, from Thursday evening through Friday morning.

Dozens of others called for help but were told their homes were safe enough to shelter in place, according to Fire Chief Michael Gibson, as they were determined to be high enough off the ground. The weather event also resulted in 12 hikers in Wailua and Kōke‘e being rescued by emergency crews on Sunday.  

“I think all our crews responded quickly, appropriately and bravely,” he said. “(Crews) had the rescue boards to rescue people from the ocean and the river, and their ability to adapt and use that tool to rescue people from their homes and cars was safe, smart, and commendable.” 

Gibson said the storm was the most significant weather event he has experienced since moving to Kauaʻi for the position in 2020. 

“For me, this is the biggest landslide,” he said. The last storm of a greater scale occurred in April 2018, six years ago, which brought 28 inches of rain, landslides, and damaged homes.