[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 62 (Tuesday, April 17, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H3383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            SEVERE RAIN AND FLOODING IN KAUAI AND EAST OAHU

  (Ms. HANABUSA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. HANABUSA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with my colleague, 
Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, to call attention to the damage done by 
severe rain and flooding on the island of Kauai and in East Oahu.
  It was an unexpected spring storm and, according to the National 
Weather Service, the town of Hanalei received more than 27 inches of 
rain over the weekend. Hanalei is home to my very good friends, the 
Haraguchis.
  Thankfully, Mr. Speaker, there are no reports of injuries, and for 
that we are lucky and grateful. However, the images of mudslides, 
mangled roadways, and severely damaged homes is heartbreaking. It is 
encouraging to watch neighbors helping neighbors and strangers coming 
together to share food, electricity, and water.
  Kauai suffered a direct hit from a hurricane and is home to the 
wettest place on planet Earth. Yet, their mayor, Bernard Carvalho, who 
was born and raised on the island, declared the disaster ``the worst.''
  On Oahu, during a 24-hour rainfall from 4 p.m. Friday to 4 p.m. 
Saturday, more rain fell in Niu Valley in one day than in all of April 
2017. Flooding closed a major highway, filled homes with waist-deep 
water, and washed debris out to sea.
  FEMA is working with State and county officials and is prepared to 
initiate Federal assistance the moment the Governor asks for it.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that all our colleagues stand with us and to have 
prayers for the people of Hawaii.

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