Hawaii’s Worst Flooding in 20 Years Triggers 200+ Rescues and Damage That Could Top $1 Billion on Oʻahu and Maui
Hawaii is facing its worst flooding in about 20 years as torrential rains—including nearly 16 inches at Oʻahu’s Kaala peak and heavy totals across Oʻahu and Maui—prompted evacuation orders for more than 4,000 (about 5,500 in some reports), more than 200 rescues, National Guard deployments, airlifts, flooded shelters and power outages. Officials briefly warned the 120‑year‑old Wahiawa Dam was at risk of imminent failure, Gov. Josh Green says damages could top $1 billion, and assessments continue though no deaths have been reported so far.
📌 Key Facts
- Honolulu issued a 5:35 a.m. emergency alert ordering residents downstream of the 120‑year‑old Wahiawa Dam to evacuate after officials warned the dam was “at risk of imminent failure” and water was running over the spillway; the dam rose from about 79 to 84 feet overnight, later receded somewhat but remains under close watch.
- Evacuation orders affected thousands: an initial downstream order covered more than 4,000 people and at peak roughly 5,500 people north of Honolulu were under evacuation orders (many later lifted); more than 200 people were rescued from homes and vehicles across the islands.
- Search‑and‑rescue and evacuation operations included National Guard activation, airlifts (72 children and adults taken from Our Lady of Kea’au spring‑break camp), firefighters and lifeguards on jet skis, and guards wading through waist‑deep water to reach stranded residents.
- Storms dumped extreme rainfall: officials and reporting show totals ranging from 8–12 inches overnight in parts of north Oʻahu and nearly 16 inches at Kaala peak in 24 hours to reports of up to 4 feet in parts of Oʻahu and Maui over the past week; the National Weather Service warned of widespread, life‑threatening flash flooding and additional rain (several more inches) was forecast before conditions eased.
- Damage and economic impact: Gov. Josh Green estimates total storm costs could top $1 billion, citing damage to airports, schools, roads, homes and a Maui hospital in Kula; floodwaters pushed homes off foundations, swallowed vehicles and swept away some houses, and some residents lost homes they had rebuilt after the 2023 wildfires.
- Utilities and public‑health advisories: more than 2,000 customers were without power over the weekend (Hawaiian Electric had proactively cut power to about 1,200 Waialua customers and restored many), roughly 100 customers remained without power in Maui County, and a boil‑water notice remained in effect for North Shore areas from Mokuleia to Turtle Bay.
- Shelters and evacuations: roughly 185 people and about 50 pets sheltering at Waialua High and Intermediate School had to be evacuated and bussed to another center after that shelter flooded; officials urged residents to report property damage to local authorities.
- Operational challenges and context: search‑and‑rescue efforts were hampered by civilians flying personal drones over the flood zone, and meteorologists noted the flooding followed back‑to‑back Kona low systems — experts say the intensity and frequency of heavy rain in Hawaii are increasing due to human‑caused climate change.
📊 Relevant Data
Sea level in Hawaiʻi has risen 5 inches since 1970, contributing to increased high tide flooding.
Rising Sea Level — Climate Change Portal - Hawaii.gov
High tide flooding in Hawaii has increased from an average of 2 days per year in the 1970s to 40 days per year in the 2010s, with projections reaching up to 140 days per year by 2050 due to ongoing sea level rise.
Rising Sea Level — Climate Change Portal - Hawaii.gov
Native American communities experience greater-than-average flood risk compared to non-Hispanic White communities in the US, particularly in inland areas, where they represent a sizable disparity.
The Racial Dynamics Involved in Flood Risk Aren't What You'd Expect — Governing
Only 4% of homes in Hawaii have flood insurance as of September 2024.
The legacy of U.S. colonialism and privatization of Hawaii's water system since the 1800s and 1900s has stripped Native Hawaiians of water rights, contributing to inadequate resources for disaster response and recovery.
16-1 Disaster Recovery in Hawai'i and Puerto Rico and Widening Inequalities — National Low Income Housing Coalition
📰 Source Timeline (7)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
March 24, 2026
1:04 AM
Worst Hawaii flooding in 20 years leaves many homes in mud: "We lost everything"
New information:
- CBS documents that storms dumped up to 4 feet of rain in parts of Oʻahu and Maui over the past week.
- Gov. Josh Green says the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, homes, and a Maui hospital in Kula.
- Officials say more than 200 people were rescued and more than 2,000 were without power over the weekend on Oʻahu.
- National Guard troops were shown wading through waist‑deep water in northern Oʻahu to reach stranded drivers and homeowners.
- Rep. Jill Tokuda notes that some Maui residents had just moved back into homes rebuilt after the 2023 wildfires, compounding their losses.
- Honolulu‑born actor Jason Momoa posted a video saying he and his family evacuated Oʻahu’s North Shore and are safe but highlighted that many others were not.
March 23, 2026
1:38 PM
Nearly 200 rescued from homes, cars in Hawaii amid severe flooding
New information:
- Confirms that nearly 200 people have been rescued from homes and cars across Hawaii during the latest round of severe flooding.
- Reiterates that the storms constitute some of the worst flooding in decades in parts of Hawaii, consistent with 'worst in 20 years' framing in prior coverage.
- Restates Gov. Josh Green’s estimate that total damage from the flooding could exceed $1 billion.
6:30 AM
Historic Hawaii floods leave 2,000 people without power
New information:
- More than 2,000 people remained without power Sunday afternoon, down from earlier outages, with Hawaiian Electric expecting to restore service to about 2,000 more customers later Sunday.
- Hawaiian Electric had proactively shut off power to about 1,200 customers in Waialua on Oahu’s North Shore on Friday and has since restored service there; roughly 100 customers remain without power in Maui County and all major outages on Hawaii Island have been addressed.
- Officials say more than 200 people were rescued during the flooding and that earlier evacuation orders for roughly 5,500 people north of Honolulu have been lifted, with no deaths reported so far.
- Gov. Josh Green now estimates total storm costs could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, homes and a Maui hospital in Kula.
- A boil-water notice remains in effect for North Shore areas from Mokuleia to Turtle Bay, and residents are urged to report property damage to local authorities.
- Meteorologist Matthew Foster says the worst of the storm is over, with rainfall now shifting to scattered showers and less than 5 inches of rain expected on Hawaii Island and 1–2 inches elsewhere, and more typical March weather expected by Wednesday.
- Authorities say earlier fears that the 120-year-old Wahiawa Dam could fail have largely eased as water levels have dropped, though the dam continues to be monitored.
- The article reiterates that the flooding followed back-to-back 'Kona low' systems and notes experts’ assessment that heavy-rain intensity and frequency in Hawaii are increasing due to human-caused climate change.
March 21, 2026
7:55 AM
Hawaii suffers its worst flooding in 20 years and forecasters warn more rain is coming
New information:
- Gov. Josh Green calls this Hawaii’s most serious flooding since the 2004 Manoa floods and estimates total storm costs could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, homes and a Maui hospital in Kula.
- Authorities report roughly 5,500 people under evacuation orders north of Honolulu, with at least about 10 people taken to a hospital for hypothermia and no deaths or missing persons so far.
- Officials say Oahu’s Kaala peak received nearly 16 inches of rain in a day, other parts of Oahu saw 8–12 inches overnight, and additional 6–8 inches are forecast over the next two to three days.
- The Wahiawa Dam level rose from 79 to 84 feet overnight, about 6 feet below its maximum, before receding somewhat, and is being closely watched for possible failure as more rain is expected.
- The National Guard and Honolulu Fire Department airlifted 72 children and adults from the Our Lady of Kea’au spring break youth camp on Oahu’s west coast as a precaution, even though the camp sits on high ground.
- Honolulu officials report that search and rescue efforts were hampered by civilians flying personal drones over the flood zone, interfering with aerial operations.
March 20, 2026
9:35 PM
Over 4,000 told to evacuate flooding in Hawaii as officials warn 120-year-old dam could fail
New information:
- Honolulu officials say emergency sirens blared along Oahu’s North Shore as muddy floodwaters pushed homes off their foundations, swallowed vehicles and swept away some houses, though the exact number is not yet known.
- Honolulu’s 5:35 a.m. evacuation order covers more than 4,000 people downstream of the 120‑year‑old Wahiawa Dam, with officials warning it is "at risk of imminent failure" and water is actively running over the spillway.
- Roughly 185 people and 50 pets sheltering at Waialua High and Intermediate School had to be relocated by bus after that shelter flooded, amid 8–12 inches of overnight rain and what NWS calls "widespread life‑threatening flash flooding" in Haleiwa and Waialua.
- Gov. Josh Green says the Hawaii National Guard has been activated and describes chest‑high floodwaters on parts of northern Oahu, calling it a "very touch‑and‑go day," while a state senator says some residents are effectively isolated and unable to evacuate due to high water.
9:04 PM
Officials warn 120-year-old Hawaiian dam could fail as thousands told to evacuate flooding
New information:
- Honolulu officials issued a specific 5:35 a.m. emergency alert Friday telling residents downstream of Wahiawa Dam to evacuate because it was 'at risk of imminent failure.'
- Honolulu Department of Emergency Management spokesperson Molly Pierce said the evacuation order covers more than 4,000 people and confirmed that 'water is actively running over the spillway right now.'
- City spokesperson Ian Scheuring said firefighters and lifeguards on jet skis are searching floodwaters for stranded people and that there are reports of homes being swept away, though the total is not yet known.
- Roughly 185 people and 50 pets sheltering at Waialua High and Intermediate School had to be evacuated and bussed to another center because that shelter itself flooded.
- Officials reported 8 to 12 inches of rain overnight in parts of north Oahu, on top of catastrophic flooding from last week’s storm, with the National Weather Service warning of 'widespread life-threatening flash flooding' particularly in Haleiwa and Waialua.