Flood risk continues in Hawaii as North Shore residents return to destroyed homes

Flood risk continues in Hawaii as North Shore residents return to destroyed homes A flood watch is still in effect for the Big Island, as well as a flood advisory for Maui, as others return to their homes to assess devastating flood damage. Add NBC News to Google Historic flooding in Hawaii causes damage, prompts evacuations 01:47 Get more news on Share Add NBC News to Google March 23, 2026, 2:21 PM EDT By Isabel Yip Listen to this article with a free account 00:00 00:00 The already battered Hawaiian islands may face more flooding today, with a flood watch still in effect for the Big Island of Hawaii and a flood advisory in Maui issued through Monday afternoon. The devastating “kona low,” the name for seasonal Hawaiian cyclones, continues to move across the state after causing widespread destruction in Oahu and Maui over the weekend. Possible heavy rain and isolated thunderstorms now threaten the Big Island with flooding, as an additional 1 to 2 inches of rain may come down over already saturated ground. Several mountain locations have seen 20 to 40 inches of rain across the island chain during what has become Hawaii’s heaviest rainstorm in 20 years. Evacuation warnings were lifted for most of the zones in Maui Sunday, after cities like Lahaina and Kahului received a year’s worth of rain in just a few days. Kahului has already experienced its wettest month on record with nearly 20 inches of rain. Residents of Oahu’s North Shore were told to flee on Saturday, with evacuation orders issued for 5,500 people living in the area known for its big-wave surfing community. Officials warned that the aging Wahiawa dam was “at risk of imminent failure,” a possibility that the state has said could result in “probable loss of human life.” Flood waters, which were so strong that locals described them as having currents, flowed through the streets of Oahu, lifting homes and totaling cars. Many North Shore residents left the area Saturday morning, returning in the afternoon to mud-c...