Devastating Hawaii Flooding Leaves Thousands Without Power After Worst Deluge in Decades

Hawaii experienced its most severe flooding in over two decades, leaving more than 2,000 residents without electricity and causing an estimated $1 billion in damage. The catastrophic weather prompted the rescue of over 200 people and forced evacuation orders for 5,500 residents north of Honolulu.

HONOLULU — Thousands of Hawaii residents remained without electricity Sunday evening following the most devastating flooding the islands have experienced in more than two decades, as torrential rainfall pounded the region.

The catastrophic downpours struck ground already soaked from a winter storm the previous week. Floodwaters swept away vehicles and structures, with damage estimates reaching $1 billion. Emergency officials ordered 5,500 residents north of Honolulu to evacuate, though those orders were subsequently canceled, while rescue teams pulled more than 200 people from floodwaters. No fatalities have been confirmed at this time, according to Molly Pierce, spokesperson for Oahu’s Department of Emergency Management, who spoke Sunday evening.

Hawaiian Electric successfully restored electricity to approximately 1,200 customers in Waialua on O’ahu’s North Shore by Sunday evening, the utility company reported. Power had been deliberately shut off Friday as a precautionary measure due to flooding conditions.

Repair teams are continuing damage assessments and restoration work, with Hawaiian Electric anticipating power restoration for an additional 2,000 customers by Sunday night. In Maui County, roughly 100 residents were still without electricity Sunday evening, while all significant outages on Hawai’i Island have been resolved, the company stated.

The most severe weather conditions have passed, Hawaii meteorologist Matthew Foster told The Associated Press.

Weather patterns shifted from widespread rainfall to intermittent showers across Oahu, Maui County and Big Island by Sunday evening, Foster explained. Forecasters expect less than 5 inches of precipitation for Big Island, with 1 to 2 inches anticipated elsewhere.

Northeastern winds will increase on island areas with greater vegetation coverage that can better absorb rainfall, Foster noted. The moisture system will require several days to move beyond the islands, with typical March weather conditions returning by Wednesday.

Some flooding may still develop, but on a localized rather than widespread basis, Foster warned.

A boil water advisory remained active Sunday for North Shore communities from Mokuleia to Turtle Bay, with officials urging residents to report property damage to city authorities.

Gov. Josh Green estimated storm costs could exceed $1 billion, encompassing damage to aviation facilities, educational institutions, transportation infrastructure, residential properties and a Maui medical facility in Kula.

Emergency management officials expressed concern about potential failure of the 120-year-old Wahiawa dam, though that threat has largely subsided as water levels decreased, Pierce reported. The dam remains under continuous surveillance.

Weather systems called “Kona lows,” characterized by southern or southwestern winds carrying moisture-heavy air masses, have generated the recent flooding events over two weeks. Climate experts indicate that heavy rainfall intensity and frequency in Hawaii have intensified due to human-caused global warming.