It is a really tough situation out there right now. Hawaii was recently hit by back-to-back Kona low storm systems in March 2026, which triggered some of the worst flooding the islands have seen in over 20 years.
The combination of torrential rain, saturated ground, and fierce winds caused severe damage across several islands, particularly Oʻahu and Maui.
🌧️ What Happened?
* Historic Rainfall: Some areas saw record-breaking deluges, with cumulative rainfall totals exceeding 30 to 40 inches in the hardest-hit spots over a couple of weeks.
* Widespread Flooding & Mudslides: The rain caused massive flash flooding. In places like Oʻahu's North Shore, floodwaters swept through neighborhoods, lifted cars, and left homes and streets buried in thick red volcanic mud.
* Evacuations and Rescues: Thousands were placed under evacuation orders or advisories. Emergency crews conducted over 200 swift-water rescues. At one point, there were major fears that the 120-year-old Wahiawa Dam on Oʻahu might fail, though thankfully that threat subsided as water levels dropped.
* Damaging Winds & Outages: Wind gusts of 60 to 75 mph (and over 100 mph on the summits) knocked out power to over 115,000 residents on Oʻahu at the height of the first storm.
* Economic Toll: Governor Josh Green estimated that the compounding storms have caused over $1 billion in damages statewide and recently requested a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to unlock federal FEMA aid.
🛑 Safety & Resources if You are in Hawaii
If you or someone you know is currently on the islands dealing with the aftermath, here are the official channels for help:
* Call 2-1-1: Hawaii’s statewide helpline for connecting with local resources (food, clothing, shelter, supplies, and power-charging stations).
* Report Damage: Local county governments (Honolulu/Oʻahu and Maui) have active online portals for residents and business owners to self-report property damage. This helps the state secure federal recovery funds.
* Stay Updated: Keep a close eye on the National Weather Service Honolulu for active flood watches or advisories.
Are you looking for information because you have family over there, or were you planning a trip and need to know how travel is being impacted? I can help you find more specific details depending on w
hat you need!
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