Flood Watches issued as Tropical Depression Fifteen-E redevelops, threatens Hawaii with rare direct landfall
The heavy rain will start to impact the Big Island sometime Wednesday afternoon, Hawaii time, and will continue through most of the island through the weekend.
Tropical Depression Fifteen-E redevelops in the Pacific, threatens Hawaii with rare direct landfall
The remnants of Tropical Depression Fifteen-E have redeveloped in the active Pacific, and has the Hawaiian Islands in the crosshairs for a direct landfall. Flood Watches have been issued across the Big Island and Maui with heavy rain and strong winds expected to slam the island chain.
The tropical traffic jam in the Pacific is marching on, with the remnants of Tropical Depression Fifteen-E redeveloping near the Hawaiian Islands.
Re-forming about 400 miles southeast of Hawaii's Big Island, Tropical Depression Fifteen-E is showing potential for increased development due to favorable environmental conditions across the Central Pacific.
![A flooded road is seen the day after Hurricane Lala in Hilo, Hawaii, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. The Category 1 hurricane brought heavy rain and strong winds to the island of Hawaii before moving away without making landfall.]()
Image 1 of 5A flooded road is seen the day after Hurricane Lala in Hilo, Hawaii, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026. The Category 1 hurricane brought heavy rain and strong winds to the island of Hawaii before moving away without making landfall. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle)
![Hawaii Department of Transportation workers inspect road damage caused by Hurricane Lala in Pahala, Hawaii, on August 16, 2026. Hurricane Lala was pulling away from Hawaii's Big Island early Sunday, as heavy rain and strong winds struck the US Pacific state and officials warned of potentially dangerous flooding. The heavy rain and flood risk will then spread westward across the island chain on Sunday, according to the NHC.]()
Image 2 of 5Hawaii Department of Transportation workers inspect road damage caused by Hurricane Lala in Pahala, Hawaii, on August 16, 2026. Hurricane Lala was pulling away from Hawaii's Big Island early Sunday, as heavy rain and strong winds struck the US Pacific state and officials warned of potentially dangerous flooding. The heavy rain and flood risk will then spread westward across the island chain on Sunday, according to the NHC. ( Jill K. Briggs / AFP)
![Vehicles make their way through a flooded intersection in front of the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 16, 2026. Hurricane Lala was pulling away from Hawaii's Big Island early Sunday, as heavy rain and strong winds struck the US Pacific state and officials warned of potentially dangerous flooding. The heavy rain and flood risk will then spread westward across the island chain on Sunday, according to the NHC.]()
Image 3 of 5Vehicles make their way through a flooded intersection in front of the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 16, 2026. Hurricane Lala was pulling away from Hawaii's Big Island early Sunday, as heavy rain and strong winds struck the US Pacific state and officials warned of potentially dangerous flooding. The heavy rain and flood risk will then spread westward across the island chain on Sunday, according to the NHC. (Eugene Tanner / AFP)
![Police officers from the Honolulu Police Department block a flooded street near the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 16, 2026. Hurricane Lala was pulling away from Hawaii's Big Island early Sunday, as heavy rain and strong winds struck the US Pacific state and officials warned of potentially dangerous flooding. The heavy rain and flood risk will then spread westward across the island chain on Sunday, according to the NHC.]()
Image 4 of 5Police officers from the Honolulu Police Department block a flooded street near the Hawaii Convention Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, on August 16, 2026. Hurricane Lala was pulling away from Hawaii's Big Island early Sunday, as heavy rain and strong winds struck the US Pacific state and officials warned of potentially dangerous flooding. The heavy rain and flood risk will then spread westward across the island chain on Sunday, according to the NHC. ( Eugene Tanner / AFP)
![A road damaged by Hurricane Lala is seen in Mountain View, Hawaii, on August 16, 2026. Hurricane Lala was pulling away from Hawaii's Big Island early Sunday, as heavy rain and strong winds struck the US Pacific state and officials warned of potentially dangerous flooding. The heavy rain and flood risk will then spread westward across the island chain on Sunday, according to the NHC.]()
Image 5 of 5A road damaged by Hurricane Lala is seen in Mountain View, Hawaii, on August 16, 2026. Hurricane Lala was pulling away from Hawaii's Big Island early Sunday, as heavy rain and strong winds struck the US Pacific state and officials warned of potentially dangerous flooding. The heavy rain and flood risk will then spread westward across the island chain on Sunday, according to the NHC. (Jill K. Briggs / AFP)
Fifteen-E would be named Nolo, the next name on the Central Pacific hurricane list.
Regardless of this storm becoming a named storm, the moisture and a low area of pressure will move across the Hawaii starting on Wednesday.
Tropical moisture will bring heavy rain and a possible flood threat to the area. Flood Watches have been issued for Hawaii's Big Island and Maui lasting through Saturday.
(FOX Weather)
The heavy rain will start to impact the Big Island sometime Wednesday afternoon, Hawaii time, and will continue throughout most of the island through the weekend. 8–12 inches of rain is expected to fall.
The highest totals are possible across the eastern portion of the island, including Hilo.
HURRICANE POLO EXPLODES INTO ONE OF PACIFIC’S STRONGEST HURRICANES EVER
FLOOD WATCH
— Hawaii EMA (@Hawaii_EMA) September 23, 2026
in effect from Wednesday afternoon (9/23) through Saturday afternoon (9/26) for Maui, Lānaʻi, Molokaʻi, Kahoʻolawe and Hawaiʻi Island
Flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible. Avoid low-lying and other areas prone to flooding. More info at… pic.twitter.com/6mkyZ7EJKk
"The forecast now highlights localized totals over 12-18 inches on the eastern side of the Big Island.," says the FOX Forecast Center. "Winds could, also gust upwards of 30-40mph as it makes a close approach."
This is an ongoing story. Stay with FOX Weather for all the latest developments.