Jason Momoa shares update online as he is caught in worst flash floods Hawaii has seen in decades
Thousands of people in Hawaii were forced to flee after the state endured its worst flooding in more than 20 years, including Jason Momoa.
The proud Honolulu-native, 46, told fans that he and his loved ones were 'safe for now' after they had to hightail it out of Oahu’s North Shore when power went out in the area.
Officials have been warning people in the worst hit areas to 'leave now' after the 'catastrophic' weather conditions unleashed chaos over the weekend.
Heavy rain has been battering Hawaii over the last few days and it has fallen on soil that was already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago.
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As a result, muddy floodwaters have smothered vast stretches of Oahu’s North Shore, which is an area world-renowned for its big-wave surfing.
Raging waters lifted homes and cars, prompting officials to issue evacuation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu on Saturday (21 March).
In an emergency alert sent out on Saturday, locals were told: "Residents in the Waialua area are strongly urged to LEAVE NOW. The remaining access road out of Waialua is at high risk of failure if rainfall continues.
Authorities have raised concerns that the relentless downpours and subsequent flooding could lead to the failure of a 120-year-old dam - which 'will result in probable loss of human life'.
The Wahiawa dam, which has been vulnerable for decades, is 'at risk of imminent failure' according to officials. Overnight into Friday, the dam went from 79ft to 84ft - which is just 6ft shy of what it can handle.
Momoa has been in the thick of all of this and he's been using his huge platform on social media to give people an insight into the worrying reality of the situation.
On Friday (20 March) the Game of Thrones legend took to his Instagram Stories to explain that him and his family members were forced to evacuate the North Shore.
"We’re safe for now but there’s a lot of people who weren’t, so sending all of our love," he told his nearly 17 million followers. "We’re just all...the North Shore is pretty gnarly right now, so just love and hopefully everyone’s safe and getting out. We’ll get together to figure out how we’re going to help everyone. All my love, and stay safe out there."
In a later post, Momoa explained that the volatile weather had also left him and his rock band, ÖOF TATATÁ, with no choice but to cancel a fundraising gig that was supposed to take place this weekend.
"Unfortunately, we’re gonna cancel and maybe we’ll do something online, just to send out some music to people," he said.
"That’s where we’re at right now, and just to make sure everybody’s safe, and it’s the most important thing right now."
The Hollywood star also shared videos of the sea violently churning as he watched on from the sand, as well as a snap showing damage caused to roads in the area.
Another post shared by Momoa shows him and his rumoured girlfriend Adria Arjona feeding locals in need with the help of Hawaiian restaurant chain Zippyʻs.
He captioned the footage: "Aloha everyone, These past weeks have been heavy. The storms, the flooding, the constant rain across Oʻahu have affected so many of our people especially those already facing hardship. Seeing families displaced, communities struggling, and our unhoused neighbours hit the hardest.
"We spent time on the west side, just trying to show love, bring some food, and remind our community that we see you, we stand with you, and you’re not alone.
"That’s what aloha is. It’s showing up for each other when it matters most. If you’re out there and able to help in any way no matter how big or small please do. Check in on your neighbours. Give what you can. Spread aloha."
Hawaii's governor, Josh Green, said the cost of the storm could top one billion dollars - accounting for damage to critical infrastructure such as airports, schools, roads, people’s homes and a Maui hospital in Kula.
"This is going to have a very serious consequence for us as a state," Mr Green said at a news conference.
Most of the state was under a flood watch, with Haleiwa and Waialua in northern Oahu under a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service.
Mr Green said the White House offered assurances that the islands would have federal support. No deaths were reported and no-one was unaccounted for. About 10 people were taken to hospital with hypothermia, the governor said.
Officials blamed some of the devastation on the sheer amount of rain that fell in a short amount of time on saturated land.
Winter storm systems known as 'Kona lows', which feature southerly or southwesterly winds that bring in moisture-laden air, were responsible for the deluges in the past two weeks.
Topics: US News, World News, Weather, Environment, Jason Momoa, Celebrity
Olivia Burke