Back-to-back storms triggered devastating flooding across parts of Oahu and other parts of the Hawaiian islands. FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray has the latest on the potentially billion-dollar disaster from Maui.
HONOLULU — Hawaii’s State Health Department issued a beach warning for increased levels of harmful bacteria, more than a week after back-to-back storms triggered devastating flooding across the state.
The health department issued a Beach Advisory for bacteria known as enterococci at Mokule‘ia Beach on the northern shore of Oahu, where some of the worst flooding took place.
HAWAII RECOVERS FROM DEVASTATING FLOODS AFTER BACK-TO-BACK KONA LOW SYSTEMS DRENCH STATE
The state said the high bacteria count is being caused by runoff pollution from the heavy rain. Swimming in contaminated waters can cause gastroenteritis that can result in nausea and additional infections, according to the health department.
WHAT IS A KONA LOW?
Heavy rain from the second of two Kona Low systems triggered a Flash Flood Emergency for the towns of Waialua and Nine on the North Shore early on Friday, Mar. 20.
Photos obtained by FOX Weather showed water almost covering the tops of SUVs in Laie in the predawn hours Friday.
(Tyrone Brown/Facebook / FOX Weather)
Homes were swept away by floodwaters. Although there were no serious injuries reported, officials said nearly 200 people had to be rescued across the state that weekend.
FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray, who covered some of the flooding as it unfolded, said runoff from the heavy rain pushed animals and debris into the Pacific Ocean, triggering a Brown Water Advisory in the immediate aftermath.
COUPLE RESCUED AFTER BEING STRANDED DURING HAWAII FLOODING
The damage from the flooding has the potential to approach $1 billion, Governor Josh Green said.
