Flash Flood Wipes Out Land, Trees at ʻĪao Valley

September 14, 2016, 8:56 AM HST
* Updated September 16, 4:54 PM

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More than 60 feet of land was washed away from some portions along the river that runs through ʻĪao Valley as a flash flood washed boulders and trees down the waterway to properties below on Tuesday night, Sept. 13, 2016.

Residents compared the roar of the river to the sound of a jet engine and described a “trembling” that occurred as huge boulders were pushed downstream.

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In all 11 individuals were evacuated by emergency personnel when they became stranded by the rising stream water on Tuesday night.

One resident described the evacuation saying her family walked through knee deep river water while neighbors stood atop their roof, awaiting help, as they tried to avoid being swept downstream.

A 92-year-old man was secured in a basket and carried out by emergency responders during the rescue effort. Family members say they are unable to return to the home because of the damage from the river that tore a new path through the valley floor.

Residents say they’ve never seen the kind of flash flooding that occurred in all their years living in the Valley, with some describing the sound of the river to be as loud as a freight train.

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The river created an entirely new path, taking chunks of land downstream. It left silt, debris and branches on the first floor of a two story home, and deposited heavy silt and trees in areas that were once manicured with tropical flowers and fence lines.

One resident lost three vehicles in the incident. Several residents reported fence lines and large sections of what was once their property, being washed down the river.

On Wednesday morning, Sept. 14, 2016, County crews had closed the access road to Kepaniwai Park where mud and debris had collected along portions of the road. Access to the valley was also limited on Wednesday morning to residential traffic only.

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