Extreme flooding devastates Hawaii as power restoration continues, evacuation orders lift
FEMA shared that it is working closely with Governor Josh Green and Hawaii EMA as the state leads rescue and shelter operations, and that it stands ready to support as needed to help protect lives and communities.
FOX Weather is live in Oahu as historic flooding hammers Hawaii
After heavy rain and dangerous flooding hit Hawaii, residents are starting to begin the process of recovery. FOX Weather Correspondent Robert Ray is on the ground with the latest from Oahu. Stay with FOX Weather for the latest throughout the day.
Relentless rain slammed the Hawaiian islands through the weekend, fueling dangerous flash flooding that caused thousands of evacuations, soaring power outages, over 200 rescues and devastating damage in Hawaii.
Evacuation warnings have now been lifted for vulnerable areas on Oʻahu downstream of Wahiawā Dam.
Flood waters can conceal dangers like hazardous debris, deep mud, and damaged electrical components. Flood waters also can contain hazardous chemicals, sewage, and dangerous bacteria. Never swim, play, or wade in flood waters. pic.twitter.com/L4s0XEmJMb
— Maui_County_Fire_Department (@Maui_Fire_Dept) March 22, 2026
On Saturday, FEMA shared on X that it is working closely with Governor Josh Green and Hawaii EMA as the state leads rescue and shelter operations, and that it stands ready to support as needed to help protect lives and communities.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said in a Friday evening press conference that this is the largest flood Hawaii has seen in 20 years since the flood of Manoa in 2004.
![A firefighter holds a dog rescued from flooding on O'ahu on Friday, March 20, 2026.]()
Image 1 of 6A firefighter holds a dog rescued from flooding on O'ahu on Friday, March 20, 2026. (Honolulu Fire Department/Facebook)
![Campers rescued from Lady of Keaʻau on O'ahu walk to a heiicopter.]()
Image 2 of 6Campers rescued from Lady of Keaʻau on O'ahu walk to a heiicopter. (Honolulu Fire Department/Facebook)
![Honolulu Fire Department responds to flood rescues on O'ahu.]()
Image 3 of 6Honolulu Fire Department responds to flood rescues on O'ahu. (Honolulu Fire Department/Facebook)
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Image 4 of 6Widespread flooding across Oʻahu has kept the Honolulu Fire Department stretched, with crews carrying out numerous evacuations and water rescues as rising waters impact communities. (Honolulu Fire Department)
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Image 5 of 6Honolulu Fire Department crews safely evacuated then airlifted 72 campers and 2 dogs from Our Lady of Keaʻau with support from Air1 and Hawaiʻi Army National Guard Black Hawk helicopters. (Honolulu Fire Department)
![Honolulu Fire Department drives through floodwaters while responding to emergencies.]()
Image 6 of 6Honolulu Fire Department drives through floodwaters while responding to emergencies. (Honolulu Fire Department/Facebook)
The Hawai‘i National Guard has activated approximately 200 soldiers and airmen to support all counties in response to the ongoing Kona Low storm, as first responders have stayed busy assisting and aiding residents stranded by rapidly rising floodwaters over the past several days.
Gov. Green said nearly 196 people had been rescued as of Friday evening.
'SUPER EL NIÑO' BREWING AS LA NIÑA FADES AHEAD OF HURRICANE SEASON
More than 80 people at campsites were rescued by Honolulu Fire Department on O'ahu on Friday, with many more rescues likely across the island.
HNL Alert: 04:15 PM 03-21-2026 - The BWS is notifying all water users from Mokuleia to Turtle Bay to to boil any water pulled from the tap prior to consumption until further notice. Do not drink the water without boiling it first. D https://t.co/mlle4UMx14 pic.twitter.com/ghc8LI5cHv
— Oahu Emergency Mgmt. (@Oahu_DEM) March 22, 2026
Flooding reached a dangerous peak Friday when a Flash Flood Emergency was issued over concerns of "imminent failure" at Wahiawa Dam in Honolulu County, prompting evacuation orders for Waialua and Haleʻiwa that were lifted after water levels stabilized.
O'Ahu Emergency Management said on Saturday the dam continues to hold, but stationary bands of heavy rain could raise the dam to a "threatening" level.
Since Thursday, the county has been swamped by catastrophic flooding, with over 20 inches of rain reported.
Gov. Green said a major hospital on Maui, airports, schools, homes and roads have all been damaged across the island, as blocked areas expand due to the massive amounts of water flow, berus and mud.
A shelter in Molokai opened in Maui on Sunday as the area continues to see flash flooding.
The Honolulu Police Department also reported a sinkhole at Mokapu and Oneawa on Saturday morning.
Flooding collapsed a building, pushing into a bridge on O'ahu.
(Honolulu Fire Department/Facebook / FOX Weather)
"We are now beginning to contemplate the reality that this storm could cost over a billion dollars of damage," Gov. Green said.
The American Red Cross has boots on the ground on O‘ahu, Maui and the Big Island to assess damage from the most recent Kona Low storm.
UPDATE 2: #USCG and #Navy aircrews rescued a total of 7 people and 1 dog during flood response operations on Oahu Friday. More: https://t.co/CDgvEI69Dn pic.twitter.com/lJszDsMDkP
— U.S. Coast Guard Oceania District (@USCGOceania) March 21, 2026
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it was on the ground to offer support and is monitoring conditions on O'ahu.
Hawaiian Electric warned residents to avoid downed power lines that could be energized. The agency warned people to stay at least 30 feet away from downed lines.
KNOW YOUR FLOOD TERMINOLOGY: WHAT FLOOD WATCHES, WARNINGS AND EMERGENCIES REALLY MEAN
According to data from poweroutage.com, there were over 8,000 reported outages in Hawaii on Saturday, with the majority reported on the island of O'ahu. That number has since gone down to about 3,000.
A collapsed structure on a road on O'ahu in Honolulu County on Friday, March 20, 2026.
(Honolulu Fire Department/Facebook / FOX Weather)
According to data from poweroutage.com, there were over 8,000 reported outages in Hawaii on Saturday, with the majority reported on the island of O'ahu.
(FOX Weather)
Some locations have seen more than a foot of rain in just 24 hours.
HERE'S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO STAY SAFE AT THE BEACH DURING SPRING BREAK
Flooding rises to the decks of some homes on O'ahu on Friday, March 20, 2026.
(Honolulu Fire Department/Facebook / FOX Weather)
Hawaii has not seen much of a break from the rain, as they received more than 50 inches of rain with the most recent system earlier in the week.
The FOX Forecast Center said a larger Kona Low will bring several areas of low pressure over Hawaii through Monday, tapping into anomalously high atmospheric moisture, and will continue to deliver periods of heavy rain and flash flooding across Maui and the Big Island.
Honolulu Fire Department drives through floodwaters while responding to emergencies.
(Honolulu Fire Department/Facebook / FOX Weather)
Another widespread 3 to 5 inches of rain is expected across almost all the islands through early next week. Higher amounts of 8 to 12 inches will remain across the higher elevations with localized amounts of over a foot once again possible, the FOX Forecast Center said.
By Monday morning, the heaviest rain will start to move away from Hawaii as winds start to shift.
The winds by Monday afternoon will shift to be more easterly, allowing for the islands to start to dry out. By Tuesday, typical afternoon rain showers will dominate the weather throughout the end of the week.