KHON2 reported that thousands lost power after a storm surge hit Nanakuli on Oahu's Leeward Coast, sending sand, rocks, and water through streets and causing damage to homes and cars.
Residents began the cleanup with everything from heavy machinery to shovels.
Here's what to know
KHON2 said crews reopened Farrington Highway after clearing sand and debris left by the surge, which also spread across nearby neighborhood streets. Officials still urged drivers to be cautious while cleanup continued.
Resident Cody Holder told KHON2 that the water moved in so quickly that it caught him while he was trying to respond. "It came rushing fast," he said, adding that his car is now totaled after the surge overwhelmed the street.
KHON2 reported the storm brought gusts of 81 miles per hour to Oahu's Leeward Coast and surf of up to 20 feet on west-facing shores. State Rep. Darius Kila said Department of Transportation crews had hauled away upwards of 45 debris-filled truckloads from Farrington Highway.
One commenter on KHON News Hawaii's YouTube video pointed to another consequence communities often face after severe flooding: "Watch the flood and storm insurance go through the roof, but glad nobody hurt."
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More background
Resident Kawena Holu, who has lived on the affected street for 45 years, told KHON2 the storm ranked alongside Hurricane Eva and Iniki. KHON2 also reported that water washed onto some properties there, with estimates ranging from roughly 6 to 12 inches of storm surge.
What's being done?
Road clearing was the immediate focus, with neighbors digging in while transportation crews hauled away large amounts of sand and debris from key routes.
KHON2 reported that damage assessments were also underway on other impacted streets. Kila said, "I think the one thing that you can never anticipate is how the ocean's gonna play out, and that was the variable that has created the chaos this morning. But we're working through it."
When asked if she was going to leave the area, Holu responded, "No, not at all. This is where we grew up. This is the street we fight for. This is the street that brings us together."
Where can I learn more?
The fallout from a storm doesn't end once the roads are cleared. After the flooded streets and wrecked cars, many communities are left dealing with illnesses, injuries, and the mental and emotional toll of the disaster — not to mention rising insurance costs.
• After major weather disasters, death rates can stay elevated for weeks as healthcare systems strain.
• Psychological injuries often surface later, with survivors facing post-disaster PTSD after weather events.
• Across the South, homeowners have seen insurance costs climb after storm damage hits vulnerable properties.
As Oahu residents dig out from this surge, those longer-term pressures could shape recovery just as much as the debris removal. These stories offer a fuller picture of what can follow after the water recedes.
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