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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0147.005 2000-2002 Letter to the Hawaii County Council for the March 19, 2001 meeting at S:OOp.m. regarding the November 2, 2000 flooding and the Waiakea Stream concern. Dear County Council chairman and fellow council members: Thank you for giving the residents of the I-Iwaii County this opportunity to express our concerns regarding the November 2, 2000 flooding and the Waiakea Stream. We have lived in the Waiakea area since 1994. Our family did not have flood insurance as we are considered to be in the "X" zone (the "X" zone we learned, whereas, in the event of a 100 year flood we would not be affected). We were not aware of flooding that has been occurring since 1979 in the Waiakea- Kawailani area until after the November 2, 2000 flooding. My husband and I are now attending meetings regarding the flooding and concerns of the Waiakea Stream. We have learned and are concerned that flooding has occurred at least four (4) times since 1979 (the communities that were affected prior to the November 2, 2000 flooding, are located across the street from me. I live on Kawailani Street, above the Kawailani fridge). I learned that around 10:30p.m. November 1, 2000 the area across of me started to flood, then around 11:OOp.m. I~aihai Street started to flood. We were flooded at l :00a.m. November 2, 2000. On the evening of the storm/flood, my husband and I stayed up watching the 10:00p.m. news. There was nothing on it to indicate that the rain was creating problems, there were no follow- ups after the news. The news indicated that the rain would let up around 10:50p.m. At l :00a.m. my neighbor called to state that they were beginning to flood. My husband went outside to check on our dog and the situation. The force of the water kept pushing him against the house. Luckily he was able to save our dog (she had gotten stuck and was barely keeping her head above water). There was nothing our family could do (we tired to put towels around the door area). The water kept creeping in. As much as we tried to sleep, we could hear a river rushing down between our neighbor and our house. The morning of November 2°d was a sight. We had water throughout our entire house. The garage was filled with gravel and silt. We had gravel and other debris throughout our yard and driveway. Mr. Tsuj i, a neighbor, was nice enough to help us clear our driveway. No other family members could assist us as we were trapped in; the two bridges were "out" and there where no alternative route. Luckily for us on Friday the Kupulau bridge was re-open. Family and friends helped us to move out of our home. Our carpet and furniture were beyond salvage. ~ It was a terrible ordeal to go through, but with the support and love from our ~ ~ family and friends it helps us to make it. We are optimistic that things will get ~ ~ ~ back to normal for our family. ~ We have since purchased flood insurance and are making repairs to our home. It is ~ ~ our home that we have a mortgage on and cannot be selling at this time. Even if ~ ~ ~ we were to sell, it will be disclosed that flooding occurred. ~ ~ ~ ~ We do not want to have to go through this again. Since 1979 flooding occurred ~ due to the Waiakea Stream and Kawailani bridge overflow not being properly ~ ~ ~ maintained. The flooding situation seems to be getting worse since flooding now includes Kawailani Street (which is not considered to be in a flood zone). It would be appreciated if the flood matter and maintenance of the Waiakea Stream and Kawailani CanalBridge concerns be addressed. ~ { "