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Destructive winter storm batters Oahu and Kaua’i on Christmas Day, Hawaii

destructive-winter-storm-batters-oahu-and-kauai-on-christmas-day-hawaii

A destructive winter storm pounded the islands Oahu and Kuai in Hawaii on Christmas Day– Wednesday, December 25, 2019, which resulted in a landslide, knocked down trees, electricity disruption to over 18 000 customers, floods, and multiple traffic accidents. Strongest gusts reached 116 km/h (72 mph) in Oahu, while Honolulu saw gusts to 61 km/h (38 mph), and 77 km/h (48 mph) in Kaneohe.

The number of affected customers during the power outage significantly reduced as the storm let up and crews were able to repair the damages.

Honolulu Fire Department said the crew responded to 27 downed trees by Wednesday afternoon, seven downed power lines, and seven blown roofs on Oahu.

Torrential rain caused a rockslide on Pali Highway, leading to the closure of the Kailua-bound lanes.

The severe storm was also blamed for several crashes– officials had to close the H-1 westbound at the Managers Driver overpass after multiple traffic accidents were reported. All lanes have since reopened. 

Heavy rains flooded the Waimea Theater overnight and damaged Hanapepe Swinging Bridge. 

Mount Waialeale received roughly 533 mm (21 inches) of rain in a 24-hour period. 279 mm (11 inches) of rain was recorded at the North Wailua Ditch, where the winds wreaked most havoc. Strong winds hit a 60-year-old tree in Kaimuki, snapping a large part off of it.

Hawaii-storm-dec-25-2019

Image credit: County of Kaua'i

Hawaii-storm-dec-25-2019-2

​Image credit: County of Kaua'i

"We were just enjoying our favorite Christmas tradition, morning bagels with lox, and we heard this huge crack outside," said resident Zak Barry.

"We looked out and sure enough, this tree that I grew up climbing in had cracked."

Winds were reportedly much stronger in Windward Oahu, where tree branches were seen scattered everywhere.

A family in Ahuimanu– the Perreiras– spent part of their holiday in heavy rain and strong winds, while helping a neighbor clear a huge downed tree. Their neighborhood was one of those affected by the power outage.

"We just got the power back on and we came out here and cut trees," said John Perreira.  "We were out of power for about two and a half hours."

The front was said to have made its way to Molokai by the evening but was expected to gradually weaken as it moved eastward.

Forecasts said the Big Island could see a few showers from residual moisture as the frontal boundary dissipates and more normal trade winds return.

Featured image credit: County of Kaua'i

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One Comment

  1. Citations: “The devastating winter storms of Oahu and Kauai at Christmas, Hawaii.”
    Message from Julia of Heaven on December 26, 2019.
    “A devastating winter storm struck the Oahu and Quai Islands in Hawaii on Christmas Wednesday, December 25, 2019, which resulted in a landslide, tree demolition, power outages for more than 18,000 customers, floods, and numerous traffic accidents.”
    I am an independent acting ecologist, the head of a small group of environmental engineers. I will give some questions from the Internet – and briefly answer them:
    “Can Hawaii disappear?” – METEO NEWS from FOBOS.
    Hawaii cannot disappear – there are high mountains, whose heights reach more than 4 thousand meters.
    But as a tourist paradise for big officials and billionaires, Hawaii will be lost. I confirm this thesis with a quote: “Hawaii has covered 20-meter waves” – Around the World. That is, rising levels of the oceans, and the growing power of hurricanes will periodically flood all the lowlands of Hawaii. And in order for the soils to stop producing agricultural products – it is enough to flood them with salt water only once.
    Sincerely, Environmental Program Developer, Victor Rodin. Ukraine. Khmelnitsky NPP. Tel Kiev Star: 961336344. Mail: dorosydos@gmail.com, rodinviktor@lenta.ru
    — — —
    Цитаты: «Разрушительные зимние штормовые удары Оаху и Кауаи на Рождество, Гавайи».
    Сообщение от Джулии Небесной 26 декабря 2019 года.
    «Разрушительный зимний шторм обрушился на острова Оаху и Куай на Гавайях в Рождество – в среду, 25 декабря 2019 года, что привело к оползню, снесению деревьев, перебоям с электричеством для более чем 18 000 клиентов, наводнениям и многочисленным дорожно-транспортным происшествиям».
    Я – независимый действующий эколог, руководитель небольшой группы инженеров-экологов. Я дам несколько вопросов из Интернета – и коротко отвечу на них:
    «Могут ли исчезнуть Гавайи»? – МЕТЕОВЕСТИ от ФОБОС.
    Исчезнуть Гавайи не могут – здесь есть высокие горы, высоты которых достигают более 4 тысяч метров.
    Но как туристический рай для крупных чиновников и миллиардеров – Гавайи будут потеряны. Подтверждаю этот тезис цитатой: «Гавайи накрыли 20-метровые волны» – Вокруг Света. То есть, рост уровня Мирового океана, и растущая мощность ураганов будут периодически заливать все низинные территории Гавайев. А для того, чтобы почвы перестали производить сельхозпродукцию – их достаточно затопить солёной морской водой всего один раз.

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