By CNBC-TV18 March 21, 2026, 2:03:54 PM IST (Published)
Hawaii is experiencing its worst flooding in more than 20 years after heavy rains fell on ground already saturated by a winter storm, officials said. Floodwaters inundated large parts of Oahu’s North Shore, lifting homes and cars, prompting evacuation orders for about 5,500 people and raising concerns about the 120-year-old Wahiawa dam. More rain was forecast over the weekend.
Gov. Josh Green warned the storm could cause more than $1 billion in damage to airports, schools, roads, homes and a hospital in Kula on Maui, saying the event would have serious consequences for the state. Most of Hawaii was under a flood watch; Haleiwa and Waialua in northern Oahu were under a flash flood warning, according to the National Weather Service.
No deaths or missing people were reported. About 10 people were hospitalized with hypothermia, and rescue crews searched by air and water for stranded residents. Officials said some rescue work was slowed after individuals flew personal drones over flooded areas, interfering with emergency teams.
The National Guard and Honolulu Fire Department airlifted 72 children and adults from a spring break youth camp at Our Lady of Kea’au on Oahu’s west coast. Although the camp was on high ground, officials chose to evacuate everyone as conditions worsened. Gov. Green described the flooding as the most serious since the 2004 Manoa floods.
Dozens—possibly hundreds—of homes were damaged, though authorities had not completed a full damage assessment. Officials said the heavy damage was driven by intense rain falling in a short period on already saturated soils, producing fast-rising floodwaters across several Oahu areas.
Parts of Oahu received 8 to 12 inches of rain overnight; Kaala, the island’s highest peak, recorded nearly 16 inches in one day, the National Weather Service said. Forecasts called for an additional 6 to 8 inches over the next two to three days as Kona low systems continued to bring moisture to the islands.
Experts noted that Kona lows have produced heavy rain over the past two weeks and that the intensity and frequency of heavy rainfall in Hawaii have increased due to human-caused warming. Officials were closely monitoring Wahiawa dam, which they said was at risk of possible failure if water levels rose again. Water levels there had dropped by late Friday but had risen overnight from 79 feet to 84 feet, approaching capacity.
The Wahiawa dam was built in 1906, rebuilt after a 1921 collapse, and is classified as high-hazard potential. The state plans to acquire and repair the dam from Dole, which has been cited previously for safety issues. Hawaii regulates 132 dams, many originally constructed for sugar irrigation.
