HAIKU, HAWAII (REUTERS) - Hawaii Governor David Ige declared an emergency in the US state on Tuesday (March 9) after heavy rains brought floods, landslides and fear of dam failures, prompting evacuations in at least two counties, while flood advisories stayed in effect for a second day.

The move came after a dam overflowed on the island of Maui, forcing evacuations and destroying homes, with the dam's "unsatisfactory" condition leading to it being scheduled for removal this year, the land department has said.

"The emergency proclamation makes state general funds available that can be used quickly and efficiently to help those impacted by the severe weather," Mr Ige said.

Poor weather was expected to run until Friday, he added.

There were no immediate reports of deaths or casualties.

The emergency declaration covers the counties of Hawai'i, Maui, Kalawao, O'ahu and Kaua'i, the governor's office said in a statement, while the disaster relief period runs until May 8.

The authorities opened evacuation shelters and asked people not to return homes on Tuesday because flood advisories were still in effect.

Maui Mayor Michael Victorino said six homes were heavily damaged or destroyed. Two bridges were also destroyed, a reporter for Fox affiliate KHON2 News said on Twitter.

"On Feb 18 of last year, the dam's owner, East Maui Irrigation Company (EMI) and Mahi Pono Holdings, were sent a Notice of Deficiency (NOD) letter setting a compliance schedule to remediate the structure's deficiencies", the department said.

"The owner has been working with the state in complying with this NOD, and in October 2020, submitted a dam safety permit application to remove this structure, which is targeted for construction this summer", the statement added.

The state land department is charged with inspecting about 135 registered dams statewide.

In 2006, seven people died after the Ka Loko dam collapsed on the island of Kauai.