Hawaii storms have caused $1bn in damage, governor says
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'Kona' Storms Trigger Hawaii's Worst Floods in 20 Years
'Kona' Storms Trigger Hawaii's Worst Floods in 20 Years: $1B Damage
Is Hawaii's flooding a climate change crisis or a failure of infrastructure and land management?
Above: A woman is seen on a pickup with a damaged mattress and belongings following the flooding caused by the Kona Low storm that impacted the Otake Camp community in Waialua, Hawaii, on March 22. Image credit: Marco Garcia/AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Hawaii's worst flooding in over 20 years has been a catastrophe of historic proportions, with $1 billion in damage, 5,500 evacuation orders and a 120-year-old dam teetering on the edge of failure. The Wahiawa dam's crumbling condition — with four state deficiency notices since 2009 and an incomplete ownership transfer — shows decades of neglect that put lives at risk. Human-caused global warming is intensifying these destructive "Kona" lowsstorms, and Hawaii simplyis isn'ton preparedthe forfront what'slines comingof climate change.
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All rights reserved.
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