homes across towns north of Honolulu are in the path of muddy floodwaters after severe rains inundated streets and swallowed vehicles. Evacuation orders have been issued for more than 4, 000 people as officials warn a 120-year-old dam could fail. The latest updates reflect conditions assessed through Sunday afternoon ET, with authorities still cautioning that additional flooding is possible even as the worst of the storms appeared to ease.
Rescues and evacuation orders as floodwaters surge
Severe rains have triggered flash flooding on Hawaii’s islands, hitting communities including Haleiwa and Waialua, where streets were overwhelmed and debris from storm-damaged houses collected along waterways and near bridges. In the most immediate life-safety response, more than 200 people were rescued from rising waters, while evacuation orders were issued for more than 4, 000 people in towns north of Honolulu.
Authorities have also warned about the possible failure of a 120-year-old dam, adding urgency to evacuation messaging and on-the-ground operations. In Haleiwa, evacuations included moving people out of flooded areas using heavy equipment as water levels and debris made normal travel difficult.
As of Sunday afternoon ET, no deaths had been reported. Molly Pierce, spokesperson for Oahu’s Department of Emergency Management, said rescue activity and damage assessment were ongoing, with crews expected to remain on the North Shore through at least Monday.
Officials assess damage to Homes, roads, and critical facilities
Damage reporting is still coming in, but officials have described widespread impacts from water, mud, and debris. Hawaii Governor Josh Green said the cost of the storm could top $1 million, including damage affecting airports, schools, roads, homes, and a Maui hospital in Kula.
On Oahu’s North Shore, many residences in lower-lying areas were left covered in mud, with yards filled with debris as residents sifted through belongings and crews worked to clear roads. The flooding also affected daily essentials: heavy rains swept through grocery stores in some areas, while streets, homes, and gardens were left mud-clogged.
Public health measures were also put in place. A boil water notice remained in effect on Sunday for North Shore areas from Mokuleia to Turtle Bay, and residents were encouraged to report damage to the city.
Immediate reactions from officials and meteorologists
Molly Pierce, spokesperson for Oahu’s Department of Emergency Management, said Sunday afternoon ET that there had been no reported deaths and that assessment crews would stay on the North Shore through at least Monday as authorities work to understand the full scope of impacts.
Meteorologist Matthew Foster said by Sunday afternoon ET the worst of the storms appeared to be over, with weather shifting from widespread showers to more scattered rain from Oahu and Maui County to Hawaii Island. Foster said winds were expected to pick up on the north-east sides of the islands and that it would take a couple of days for moisture to move past the islands, with drier and more typical March weather expected by Wednesday. Foster also cautioned that additional flooding could still occur, but more on an isolated basis rather than widespread.
Quick context and what happens next
The flooding followed heavy rains falling on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week earlier, worsening runoff and the spread of mud and debris. Authorities also continued to caution that a 120-year-old dam could fail, keeping evacuation planning and monitoring at the forefront.
Next steps will focus on damage documentation, road clearing, and continued public safety advisories, including the ongoing boil water notice. Through Monday ET, assessment crews are expected to remain active on the North Shore, while residents and officials continue tracking conditions that could affect homes and low-lying neighborhoods if isolated flooding redevelops.
