David Muir reported on ABC’s World News Tonight about the emergency evacuation of thousands near Hawaii’s Wahiawa Dam after officials warned the dam could fail.

David Muir

David Muir reports on distressing weather occurring in Hawaii (Image: ABC)

David Muir provided viewers with a comprehensive update on the severe weather affecting Hawaii this week during Friday, March 20’s edition of World News Tonight.

Near the conclusion of the 52-year-old anchor’s ABC newscast, he covered the alarming weather conditions Hawaii has been experiencing. On Friday, Honolulu authorities urged residents near the Wahiawa Dam to evacuate after a significant dam failure increased the threat of “potential life-threatening flooding of downstream areas.”

David began the segment, saying, “We are tracking an emergency unfolding in Hawaii at this hour. Thousands have been told to evacuate multiple towns North of Honolulu tonight. Heavy rains are flooding the area. They’re now warning that a major dam there could fail.” This follows breaking news of a Nancy Guthrie development, as an individual left the neighborhood within days of the abduction.

 

He added, “Back at the US mainland, record heat in much of the country tonight and the warm-up coming to the East this weekend,” before introducing Chief Meteorologist and WABC-TV anchor Lee Goldberg to deliver additional details on the crisis.

“Let’s get to…Lee Goldberg .. know you will start with this dire situation in Hawaii tonight,” David said before Lee assumed coverage of the story. Lee stated at the start of his segment, “Yeah, it’s the second of two soaking storms for Hawaii this week.” The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning Friday morning for Oahu due to reports of a dam failure amid flooding near the Kaukonahua Stream.

An individual dressed formally sits behind a desk at a news studio. The screen behind them displays an image of a fighter jet, a

David reported on the ‘dire situation’ with Chief Meteorologist Lee Goldberg (Image: undefined)

Areas downstream, including Waialua and Haleiwa, as well as neighborhoods and roads surrounding the stream, were urged to seek higher ground and avoid flooded roadways.

“DAM/LEVEE FAILURE IN PROGRESS OR EXPECTED at WAHIAWA DAM. Potential life-threatening flooding of downstream areas,” the HNL warning read.

A Civil Beat investigation revealed that the island state had repeatedly informed dam owners it failed to meet modern safety standards, but the company declined to make repairs due to costs.

Following the investigation, Friday’s warning covered streams and drainage systems, including Schofield, North Fork Wahiawa, Kaukonahua Highway, Dole Fields, and Mohiakea Gulch.

An aerial view depicts a region heavily affected by flooding, with numerous buildings and roads submerged under brown, muddy wat

Hawaii has been facing some serious flooding and storms (Image: AP)

The alerts also stressed that despite slowing rainfall, water runoff could persist as additional precipitation was expected.

“If you are trapped, go to the highest level,” the Honolulu emergency department wrote in an emergency alert at 3:42 a.m. “Stay out of attics without a way to the roof.”

By 9 a.m. Friday, water levels in the dam had climbed above 85 feet, just below the dam’s crest of 88 feet, according to Civil Beat. This development follows the eerie disappearance of an Air Force general, which bears several chilling resemblances to the Nancy case.