Hawaii Storms Flood Towns, Dam at Risk
Two storms hit Hawaii this week. Muddy floodwaters from the storms damaged streets and swallowed vehicles.
A 120-year-old dam on Oahu is at risk of failure. More than 4,000 people were told to leave. Towns north of Honolulu received evacuation orders.
Klear Note — Dams hold back water in reservoirs. If a dam fails, it releases massive amounts of water downstream, flooding towns and homes.
Key Terms 3
- Oahu One of Hawaii's main islands, home to Honolulu.
- evacuation When people are told to leave an area for safety.
- dam A wall built to hold back a large amount of water.