1976 Hawaii National Guard Supports Oahu Flood Response

During the February 5-9, 1975 flooding of the Haleiwa – Waialua and Makaha – Haianae areas of Oahu, our personnel aided in evacuation and debris clearance and carried out other emergency functions.

– 1976 Annual Report pp. 1

On Feb. 5-9, 1976, 500 people were evacuated from the Haleiwa-Waialua and Makaha-Waianae areas of Oahu when flooding drenched homes in those locales. The floods, preceded by high winds , caused property damage of over $500,000 to farms , $219,000 in damage to other parts of the private sector, and $55,000 worth of damage to public property. . . During the flooding, City and County of Honolulu, State Civil Defense, and other agencies were mobilized for rescue , evacuation, debris clearance and other emergency functions. National Guard personnel and equipment were also utilized.

– 1976 Annual Report pp. 5

Oahu County Flood, Feb. 5-9: Five hundred people were evacuated from the Haleiwa-Waialua and Makaha-Waianae areas of Oahu Feb. 5-9 when flooding caused by heavy rains drenched homes in those locales.

– 1976 Annual Report pp. 23

CD responds

By Fred C. Pugarelli
PIO, Civil Defense

Five hundred people were evacuated from the Haleiwa-Waialua and Makaha-Waianae area of Oahu Island on February 6 to 8, 1976, when flooding caused by very heavy rains drenched homes in those locales.

A State Civil Defense spokesman said, “Three shelters were opened up by the Oahu County CD Agency in the affected areas and accommodated approximately 300 persons overnight.” No lives were lost.

Total damage caused by the flood, which was preceded by high winds, was about $274,000. This included private damage of $219,000 and public damage of $55,000.

Hawaii Gov. George R. Ariyoshi and MajGen Valentine A. Siefermann, State director of Civil Defense and adjutant general, both toured the stricken areas.

One small private irrigation reservoir of 1.5 million gallons in the Makaha Valley area threatened to rupture and was pumped into an adjacent resevoir to minimize danger.

City and County of Honolulu and State agencies were mobilized for rescue, evacuation, debris clearance and other emergency functions. National Guard troops and equipment were mobilized and placed on alert for emergency rescue and evacuation in all areas.

– 1976 March Pūpūkahi pp. 3