Heavy rains destroyed or severely damaged 115 Hawaii homes

Hawaii says last month’s record rains destroyed or did major damage to 115 homes on Kauai and Oahu islands.

The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency said Wednesday a preliminary assessment shows mid-April landslides and flooding affected 532 homes.

The totals are from a Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment conducted by state, county and federal officials.

The cost of emergency work and damage to public property was pegged at more than $19.7 million.

The National Weather Service said preliminary data indicated the rains broke a national rainfall record.

A gauge in Waipa on Kauai’s north shore recorded nearly 50 inches (127 centimeters) of rain over a 24-hour period. If certified, the rain would break the current record of 43 inches (109 centimeters) hit in Texas in 1979.

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