Recovery Begins After Worst Floods in 20 Years.

Hawaii is assessing over $1 billion in damages following a series of devastating Kona Low storms that have battered the islands throughout March. Governor Josh Green described the event as the state's most serious flooding since 2004. The deluge, which dumped nearly 50 inches of rain in some areas, led to Kula Hospital on Maui has been closed indefinitely due to severe water intrusion, and over 100 patients had to be relocated. In a major policy shift, the state voted Friday to take over the 120-year-old Wahiawa Dam on Oahu after it reached critical levels, prompting the evacuation of 5,500 residents last week. Brown water advisories remain in effect for Oahu, Maui, and Kauai as sediment and runoff have contaminated nearshore waters.

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