Maui Flooding Incidents: Cottage Swept Away, Residents Evacuated
Maui Flooding, Ala Luana Road – Olinda, Feb. 21, 2013. Image courtesy Robert Murdoch.
By Wendy Osher
A series of flooding related incidents were reported across the Upcountry area of Maui as a result of heavy rains that began on Thursday afternoon. Fire and rescue officials say the calls for assistance began at around 3:30 p.m. and lasted until around 9:15 p.m., with crews from Makawao, Kula, Kahului and Paia responding to various flooding calls.
Cottage Swept Away: In Makawao, an unoccupied cottage located at 355 Kaluanui Road was washed away by the heavy rains. Engine crews from the Makawao Fire Station were unable to access the area because of water and debris that had washed over the Maliko Bridge and made Makawao Avenue impassable.
When engine crews from Paia arrived on scene, they found the cottage had completely washed away and was gone, said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.
Stranded Residents Evacuated: A residence at 365 Kaluanui Road was also being threatened with five occupants unable to evacuate. Rescue crews evacuated two occupants as water subsided, but the other three decided to stay. An additional eight homes were evacuated from the Maliko Gulch area by crews from Engine 2 in Paia. No injuries reported.
Flooded Residences: Emergency crews responded to Kuhina Place in Makawao Ranch Acres where a residence was experiencing flooding. Fire crews utilized a flotation pump to remove water and also dug trenches to divert the water.
Crews also responded to a call of flooding at 2905 Iolani Street in Makawao where a drainage grate just mauka of the home had become clogged and was overflowing. Firefighters dug debris out of the grate until it began to flow, with crews from the County Public Works Department also assisting in clearing the drain.
Fire crews responded to Kaupea Street off of Makawao Avenue for reports of a home being flooded. When crews arrived on scene, they found flooding occurring next to the home and advised residents to stay away from the swift running water. Due to the dangers of driving away from the area, and no immediate threat to the home, residents decided to wait out the storm.
Stranded Vehicles: Four vehicles were escorted down Kealaloa Road after they became stranded in high water near Kealaloa/Hanamu Roads.
Crews also responded to Maliko Gulch off of the Hana Highway for three vehicles stranded due to flood waters. Fire officials say all occupants made it out of the vehicles, and were accounted for and safe.
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