Evacuation orders lifted, flood watch remains for much of Hawaii

Evacuation orders lifted, flood watch remains for much of Hawaii

Evacuation notices Hawaii have lifted aftercatastrophic flooding prompted evacuation alertsin parts of the state, but flood watches remain in place for most of March 22.

USA TODAY

Much of the stateremains under a flood watchinto the evening of March 22, including Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island, according to the National Weather Service, following what authorities described as the worst flooding the state has seen in 20 years.

Excessive rain caused torrents of water to wash out homes, damage roads and threaten to bust through a dam, sparking an emergency evacuation of thousands in Oahu on March 20. TheHawaii Emergency Management Agencylater clarified that the 120-year-old dam had not failed but "is at imminent risk of failure."

Haleʻiwa and Waialua also saw evacuations on March 21 as an alert warned that all roads out are at risk of "imminent failure," though those alerts have since been lifted. Most recently, flash flood warnings were issued through the morning of March 22 in parts of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and are set to expire at 8:30 a.m. local time,according to the Honolulu National Weather Service office.

Additionally, the National Weather Service in Honoluluwarned of potential excessive rainfall and flash flooding later in the dayas the forecast showed possible heavy rain and showers continuing through March 22 into the work week, including in Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and the Big Island.

"Significant flooding may occur due to the overflow of streams and drainages," the weather service said. "Roads in several areas may be closed, along with property damage in urban or low lying spots due to runoff. Landslides may also occur in areas with steep terrain." The March 22 forecast includes rain showers and possibly a thunderstorm, with new rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

<p style=A flooded neighborhood in Waialua on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii is seen during a crew flyover with a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei, on March 20, 2026. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, "is at imminent risk of failure," the local emergency management agency warned.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> A washed out road on Oahu, Hawaii is seen on March 21, 2026 filmed by US Army HH-60 Black Hawk crew from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, An aerial view of a washed out road on Oahu, Hawaii is seen on March 21, 2026 filmed by US Army HH-60 Black Hawk crew from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, A washed out road on Oahu, Hawaii is seen on March 21, 2026 filmed by US Army HH-60 Black Hawk crew from the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, A flooded neighborhood in Waialua on the north shore of Oahu, Hawaii is seen during a crew flyover with a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei, on March 20, 2026. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, The remains of a house pushes against a bridge in Waialua on northern Oahu. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, Floodwater surrounds houses in Waialua on northern Oahu. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, Residents stand on a tractor as they are evacuated in Waialua on northern Oahu. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, People stand with rescue boards in floodwater near a truck as evacuation efforts take place on the island of Oahu. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, A person stands on a roof surrounded by floodwater as evacuation efforts take place on the island of Oahu. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, Residents are rescued as evacuation efforts take place on the island of Oahu. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, A truck on a road near buildings is surrounded by floodwater as evacuation efforts take place on the island of Oahu. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, People wearing reflective vests walking in floodwater as evacuation efforts take place on the island of Oahu. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu,

See floodwaters overwhelm communities across Hawaii

A flooded neighborhood in Waialua on the north shore ofOahu, Hawaiiis seen during a crew flyover with a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter assigned to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point in Kapolei, on March 20, 2026. Officials in Hawaii on March 20 ordered some 4,000 people living near an aging dam on the island of Oahu to evacuate the area immediately, following severe rains that have battered the region. The century-old Wahiawa dam, located in the north of Hawaii's third largest island, which is home to the state capital Honolulu, "is at imminent risk of failure," the local emergency management agency warned.

Worst flooding in 20 years hits Hawaii;Evacuations say 'LEAVE NOW'

Gov. Josh Green: 'Make sure your family has a plan'

Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said there have been no deaths or people unaccounted for during the flooding, USA TODAY previously reported, but called it the worst the state has seen since the early 2000s. Some 200 people have been rescued from the flooding and about 10 presented at hospitals with hypothermia, he said.

"This is a major threat to our people and to our state," Green said at a news conference March 20.

Green said some areas of Hawaii received between 40 and 50 inches of rain in a March 21update posted to X, adding that while storms are moving away from Oahu and over to Maui, 4 to 12 inches of rain are expected and could produce flooding.

"Don't drive through heavy water, make sure that you're kind of laying low…everyone please be safe," Green warned in the post. "You've done a wonderful job. No loss of life so far, a few serious injuries, but don't take this storm lightly. There's still more storm force out there, though it does appear to finally be clearing somewhat on Oahu."

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Pictures:See floodwaters overwhelm communities across Hawaii

Hotels are also available at discounted rates for residents needing to move locations, Green added in asecond post on X, directing people to go toready.hawaii.govand call hotels directly to make reservations.

"Check on your neighbors and make sure your family has a plan," Green wrote. "We will continue to provide updates throughout the day. Stay safe and take care of one another."

March has seen series of severe storms in Hawaii

The flooding and rain are a result of a series of low pressure systems that have struck Hawaii throughout the month.

They're a winter phenomenon, often calledkona lows or kona storms, for the Hawaiian word "kona" for leeward. The winter storms typically impact the leeward side of the islands that are usually sheltered from tradewinds and intense rains, according to Steven Businger, a professor in the meteorology department at the University of Hawaii.

On average, one to two kona storms impact Hawaii during the November-to-March season, but it's very rare for two to form within the same month, let alone within a week, AccuWeather meteorologists said.

The first round of stormsimpacted the islands from March 10 to March 16, and brought local rainfall totals of over 4 feet. These storms have raised water levels, with one stream rising more than 10 feet,spiking fears about flooding and the structure of aging dams and reservoirsin the state.

Damage from the March flooding could total $1 billion, Green said. That includes damage to numerous homes, roads, schools, airports and a hospital on Maui, he said. Flooding from the most recent batch of storms have swept away a house in Mokuleia andclosed multiple roads in the state, part of a road in Makaha Valley on Oahu in both directions March 20 after part of it collapsed, sending vehicles over the edge, USA TODAY previously reported.

Contributing: Dinah Voyles Pulver and Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY

Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kperez@usatodayco.com or on X @katecperez_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Flood watch extended for parts of Hawaii after historic storms, flooding

 

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