HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR122619NoinjuriesreportedfollowingmultiplerescuesduringFlashFloodWarningonWednesdayF� OF
THE COUNTY OF KAUA'I
DEREK S. K. KAWAKAMI, MAYOR
qa 4 MICHAEL A. DAHILIG, MANAGING DIRECTOR
OF
News Release
For Immediate Release: December 26, 2019
KAUA`1 FIRE DEPARTMENT
KILIPAKI VAUGHAN, DEPUTY CHIEF
Tel (808) 241-4980
Fax (808) 241-6508
No injuries reported following multiple rescues during Flash Flood Warning
on Wednesday
No injuries were reported after firefighters responded to multiple rescue calls on
Christmas day during the Flash Flood Warning on Kauai.
Shortly after 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Kaiakea firefighters were dispatched to a
distressed female who reported being trapped in her car due to flood waters on Hauaala Road
in Kapa`a. While enroute to the scene, the woman reported to Police Dispatch that water was
rising fast around her vehicle. Rescuers advised the woman to open her window and climb onto
the roof of her vehicle. Once on scene, personnel located the woman on top her vehicle which
was surrounded by approximately 4 feet of fast-moving water. Firefighters used a rescue board,
along with a rescue tube and fins and proceeded towards the woman. The woman was brought
safely back to the non -flooded area of the road. She did not sustain any injuries.
Additionally, at around 7 a.m., Hanapepe firefighters were dispatched to Hanapepe
Valley for a report of three people trapped on top of the roof of a structure due to flood waters.
Once on scene, firefighters used a floatation device and surf board to bring all individuals to
safety. No injuries were reported.
Firefighters were notified at approximately 1:30 p.m. of a person who reported having
difficulty breathing on the Nonou-East Trail, also known as Sleeping Giant, in Wailua.
Rescue 3 aboard Air 1, and firefighters from the Kapa`a fire station, arrived on scene at
approximately 1:40 p.m. and located a 60-year-old female hiker nearly 1 mile from the trailhead.
Kapa`a firefighters hiked to the patient and Rescue 3 personnel used an Air Rescue Vest (ARV)
to safely airlift her to a nearby landing zone at Wailua Houselots Park. The hiker refused further
treatment from awaiting AMR personnel. Firefighters cleared the scene at approximately 2:45
p.m.
A Flash Flood Warning was in effect for Kauai from approximately 4 a.m. to 1 p.m.,
Wednesday, closing major roads due to flooding conditions, along with fallen trees, utility lines,
and debris. All roads have since been reopened.
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Photo: Air 1 and Rescue 3 personnel launch from the Wailua Houselots Park on Wednesday as
they prepare to conduct a rescue along the Sleeping Giant trail.