Kauai Rain Eases; Flood Cleanup Starts in Hard-Hit Communities
Rain eased Sunday and residents of the northeast side of the island of Kauai began cleaning up after flash floods caused by torrential rain wrecked homes and roads and killed three people.
“In all the years I’ve lived here, I’ve never seen anything like this,” said Norma-Jean Hall, 42, of Anahola, one of the hardest-hit communities. “I’m lucky to be alive now.”
Officials said some 50 houses were heavily damaged or destroyed.
Hall said the road leading to her home near the beach had turned into a mudslide that toppled huge trees and utility poles.
In a 24-hour period ending Saturday afternoon, 15.33 inches of rain fell at Wailua, 10.88 inches at Hanalei and 6.68 inches at Wainiha, according to the National Weather Service.
There was no immediate estimate of the total damage, although Kauai County officials said there was at least $3 million damage to roads alone.
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