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The Honolulu Advertiser

Posted at 11:17 a.m., Thursday, March 9, 2006

Weather could force North Shore evacuations

Advertiser Staff

O'ahu Civil Defense Agency, police and other city agencies are making preparations for evacuation of flood-prone North Shore areas because of this morning's heavy rains over Central O'ahu.

Officials are monitoring the Lake Wilson dam on Kaukonhua Stream. The stream, which winds past Otake Camp in Waialua, has the forced evacuation of the former sugar plantation camp on many occasions over the years. Police officers and Civil Defense volunteers are going door-to-door in Otake Camp to warn residents that evacuation may be necessary if the dam's water-level rises to dangerous levels.

Waialua District Park gym is being prepared to serve as an evacuation shelter. Should the dam pose a greater threat, police and Civil Defense volunteers are also mapping out plans to evacuate areas of Waialua further downstream from the camp.

In addition, authorities on the other side of central O'ahu are monitoring Waiawa Stream, near the Kamehameha Highway/Farrington Highway and H-1/H-2 junction.

"The National Weather Service expects heavy showers on O'ahu throughout today and into tomorrow, and we'll be watching for flooding across the island," said O'ahu Civil Defense Administrator Bill Balfour.

Mayor Mufi Hannemann added, "With last week's heavy rains, some portions of the island are so saturated, flooding could occur. Everyone should take precautions and stay alert for weather updates until the system has passed."