Torrential rains unleashed historic flooding across Hawaii, causing more than $1 billion in damage and forcing the evacuation of thousands. Meanwhile, search efforts continue for an elderly woman swept away by the raging waters. Officials urged residents in severely impacted areas of Oahu and Maui to evacuate on Saturday, marking the state’s worst flooding in over two decades. The deluge was exacerbated by already saturated ground from a winter storm that struck the region a week earlier. Authorities are intensively searching for a 71-year-old woman who was seen falling into a swollen stream near an encampment on Waiehu Beach Road. Despite extensive ground, air, and water searches, her whereabouts remain unknown, according to Maui Police Department reports.

Governor Josh Green has reported that the devastation to both public and private property is likely to exceed $1 billion, with a statewide flood watch continuing through Sunday. “Flood levels are significant, and damage estimates are soaring past $1 billion,” he stated in an interview with CNN on Saturday. The island chain has endured between 40 to 50 inches of rain, marking the largest flood in two decades. Over the past 11 days, the flooding has caused serious injuries, including two spinal cord injuries, and rendered a major hospital on Maui inoperable. Green highlighted the numerous rescues conducted, with 236 individuals saved, including an entire camp. The flooding stranded many due to it coinciding with public school spring break, prompting rescues from rooftops in some instances.

During a press briefing on Friday, Green elaborated on the $1 billion damage estimate, noting significant impacts on airports, a major hospital in Maui, schools, and roads. He emphasized the extensive damage to homes, which face long-term repairs. Authorities have issued urgent evacuation orders for residents downstream of the Wahiawa Dam on Oahu, which is at risk of failure. Communities in Haleiwa and Waialua on Oahu’s North Shore have been particularly affected. The National Weather Service has extended a flood watch for most of Hawaii through Sunday afternoon, cautioning residents to remain vigilant as conditions could worsen.

This includes the islands of Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island. Hollywood star Jason Momoa was among thousands of Hawaiians forced to flee as a powerful storm battered the islands, causing dangerous, potentially fatal flooding. Momoa took to Instagram and revealed he fled the North Shore after losing power and was with his family. ‘We’re safe now, but there’s a lot of people who weren’t, so sending all our love,’ he said. The Aquaman actor also shared footage of flooding near his father’s home, calling the destruction ‘crazy’ and pleading with his followers to stay safe.

Momoa said the dangerous weather forced him to cancel a music event planned for the weekend. The actor, who was born in Honolulu, posted on Instagram ahead of the weekend that the past weeks had been ‘heavy’ for his home state. ‘The storms, the flooding, the constant rain across Oahu have affected so many of our people, especially those already facing hardship,’ Momoa said. ‘Seeing families displaced, communities struggling, and our unhoused neighbors hit the hardest…’ Momoa encouraged locals to check in on neighbors ahead of the dangerous next few days. ‘That’s what aloha is,’ Momoa wrote. ‘It’s showing up for each other when it matters most.’