‘Fish swimming in our backyards:’ Flooding causes extensive damage to Ewa Beach homes

HONOLULU (KHON2) — Rainy weather is causing problems across the state including Ewa where several Homes were flooded Tuesday morning on Nov. 5.

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Ewa Beach residents said they were prepared for the storm but did not expect what came after.

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"I see out the side door this huge wall of water coming in, and I start panicking. I see like this literal tsunami coming from the road, and at that point, I knew it was going to be bad," stated Leo Vlachakis, Ewa Beach resident.

Many families who live near Parish Drive and Fort Weaver Road had flood waters coming up to their knees.

"The canal and the different drains weren't properly dredged and maintained. The water had nowhere else to go and it just backed up and actually became a collection point," said Ewa Beach resident, Timothy Crawley.

Residents grabbed any tools they could to help fight the flood.

"We had to dig out the canal, the berm. It was only letting a little bit of water through and with some help of the neighbors and other kids, eight of us just got our shovels and we just opened it up and let the water flow through. We really, truly felt that that's what saved a lot of the houses because the water was finally able to recede," said Vlachakis.

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Neighbors said they saw fish swimming in their backyards and despite all the cleanup that is now required, they said they are grateful it was just their belongings that were damaged.