Asian Studies specialist Paul Rausch yesterday helped recover computer equipment and other materials from Hamilton Library. Richard Ambo • The Honolulu Advertiser

Classes were canceled yesterday because of flood damage and no classes were scheduled for today due to the elections.

Edward Texeira, vice director of O'ahu Civil Defense, said today's cleanup efforts were concentrated in the areas around Lowrey Avenue and Woodlawn Drive and East Manoa Road.

"We are especially concerned about all of the green waste that built up along lots that back up to Manoa Stream because the waste material can become a health hazard and can act as water dams in case of another heavy rainfall," Texeira said.

As of yesterday afternoon, Civil Defense workers had talked to members of 64 households that had reported some degree of damage from the flood, leading to a preliminary damage estimate of about $1 million, Texeira said.

By the end of the day yesterday, the number of households affected by the flood had risen to 94, Texeira said. And at last count, at least 35 vehicles were damaged by the flood.

"I wouldn't be at all surprised to see the damage estimate go well beyond the $1 million mark," Texeira said.

That figure does not include damage done to the UH-Manoa campus, estimated to be in the $2 million to $3 million range at a minimum, according to very preliminary reports.

Texeira said representatives from the Small Business Administration, state Department of Taxation and other state, county and federal agencies will take part in a disaster relief information workshop from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. tomorrow at Manoa Valley District Park.

A deluge this heavy had been seen in Manoa Valley only two other times in the past century.

Saturday's "50-year rain" deposited 1.29 inches of water in just 15 minutes at its worst point — and nearly 4 inches in just one hour — according to the National Weather Service.

When debris washed down and choked two bridges, at Lowrey Avenue and Woodlawn Drive, Manoa Stream had no place to go but onto streets, into homes and across the University of Hawai'i campus.

"We've had floods before but this was double of anything we've ever had," said George Arizumi, a Manoa resident since the 1940s. "This was unbelievable."

Noelani Elementary School received major damage, and a dozen National Guard troops spent the day cleaning the parking lot and removing debris while the exhausted school staff set up temporary offices in the library because the administration offices were flooded.

"We've had a lot of support from the community," said principal Fred Yoshinaga. Noelani will reopen for classes Thursday and is being used as a polling place during voting today.

On Saturday the floodwaters ran unchecked through the valley.

From the school, the water raced through about a dozen homes on Pamoa Road and into Mid-Pacific Institute and the University of Hawai'i, knocking out electricity to dozens of buildings.

Although the main damage in Manoa centered around an eight-block area along Lowrey Avenue, East Manoa Road and Woodlawn Drive, several other areas sustained damage, Civil Defense officials said yesterday.

Boulders fell down the hillside, blocking Loulu Street, six cars were flooded on Pinao Street and seven homes on Wa'aloa Way were cut off by mud and debris until 2 p.m. yesterday when crews were able to clear the road, said R. Doug Aton, acting administrator for the O'ahu Civil Defense. The footbridge connecting Pawaina Street was knocked off its footings and will be removed today.

Flooding also occurred in Nu'uanu Valley, where two homes on Klebahn Place suffered damage and water overflowed in McCully, flooding the streets.