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Hawaii gov. declares disaster areas
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Posted on Nov 06 2000
HONOLULU (AP) – The governor declared the islands of Hawaii and Maui disaster areas in the wake of heavy rains.
Damages on Hawaii Island were expected to top $20 million, Gov. Ben Cayetano said. About 100 homes were flooded and several bridges were washed out.
Cleanup got under way under sunny skies Friday after a record two feet of rain in 24 hours on the island. Maui was also hard hit, receiving 10 inches.
Highway 11 linking Hilo to the south part of Hawaii Island remained closed after several bridges were washed out. There were no reports of deaths or injuries from the storm.
The governor’s declaration makes state funds available for disaster relief.
Officials of the state Civil Defense Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency were to inspect Hawaii Island Saturday to determine if federal funds will be made available.
The highest 24-hour rainfall total – 36.99 inches – was recorded in Kau on the south side of Hawaii Island.
The state record is 38 inches on Jan. 25, 1956, on Kauai Island, said National Weather Service forecaster Roy Matsu.
