--- description: The state is reeling from the worst flooding it has experienced in more than two decades. title: What to Know About Hawaii's Catastrophic Flooding, and How to Help image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt09fd3e3926b6b950/69c198ba8a343d62b0d05b18/hawaii-flooding.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [U.S.](/section/us/) ## U.S. Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [hawaii](/tag/hawaii/) ## hawaii Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Hawaii Is Reeling From Catastrophic Flooding. Here’s What to Know About the Damage—and How You Can Help by [Connor Greene](/author/connor-greene/) ## Connor Greene Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Editorial Fellow Mar 23, 2026 7:57 PM CUT  An aerial view of homes in an area severely damaged by flash flood is seen in Haleiwa, Hawaii, Sunday, March 22, 2026. An aerial view of homes in an area severely damaged by flash flood is seen in Haleiwa, Hawaii, Sunday, March 22, 2026.Stephen Lam—San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images by [Connor Greene](/author/connor-greene/) ## Connor Greene Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Editorial Fellow Mar 23, 2026 7:57 PM CUT Hawaii is grappling with the aftermath of the worst [flooding](https://time.com/7303514/how-to-know-your-home-flood-risk/ "undefined") to hit the state in over two decades. Thousands were forced to evacuate their homes and power was knocked out for customers across the islands by flooding that began late last week and continued into the weekend, brought on by severe storms. The state has suffered an estimated $1 billion in damages, according to Gov. Josh Green. Oahu, Hawaii's most populous island, and Maui, were hit hardest by the storms. No deaths have been reported, Molly Pierce, a spokesperson for Oahu’s department of emergency management, said Sunday afternoon. The storms that caused the widespread flooding in Hawaii are known as Kona lows, low-pressure weather systems that usually form in the winter months and bring heavy rain and strong winds. “The strength of Hawaiʻi is our people. Throughout this storm, we saw neighbors helping neighbors, communities stepping up and our emergency teams working tirelessly to keep everyone safe,” said Green in a [statement](https://x.com/GovJoshGreenMD/status/2035918418453676193 "undefined") on Sunday night. “I am deeply grateful to the people of Hawai‘i for looking out for one another during this challenging time.” Here’s what to know about the flooding in Hawaii, and what you can do to help as the state works to recover from the widespread damage. ## Severe damage, evacuations, and rescues A powerful storm—the second Kona low to hit Hawaii this month—battered the state late last week, bringing as much as [32 inches](https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-forecasts/hawaiis-kona-storm-triggers-flooding-100-mph-winds-and-summit-snow/1872088 "undefined") of rainfall to parts of the islands by Saturday morning. The catastrophic flooding that resulted swept up homes, damaged airports and hospitals, and cut towns off from one another. Thousands of people around the state lost power, and evacuation orders were issued for 5,500 Hawaiians north of Honolulu, according to [The Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-floods-power-outages-damage-7bb1c7d2b3d6f411cfe68c050214365e "undefined"). An additional 200-plus people were rescued from the flooding over the weekend, Pierce, the spokesperson for Oahu’s Department of Emergency Management, said on Sunday afternoon.  Debris from a storm-damaged house sits against a bridge along Kaukonahua Stream, caused by flooding from severe rains in Waialua, Hawaii, on March 20, 2026. Mengshin Lin/AP Photo Around 10 of the people who were rescued were taken to hospitals for hypothermia, Green said at Friday’s news conference. The Governor told CNN affiliate [Hawaii News Now](https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2026/03/20/gov-josh-green-things-are-very-serious-flooding-worsens-oahus-north-shore/ "undefined") that some of those rescued were taken “directly from rooftops.” The [Honolulu Fire Department](https://www.facebook.com/honolulufiredepartment/posts/pfbid024hEy2oCE18y1CYaFdQNVRY8481hhfJa8FAmyD4KW7FuL5AxLDVv7hRMhQ5yJ33Mbl?rdid=GrPDqRTkqg9hGmcF# "undefined") airlifted 72 children and adults from a youth camp on Oahu’s west coast, the department said. Officials were worried that the 120-year-old [Wahiawa dam could fail](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/officials-warn-120-year-old-hawaiian-dam-could-fail-as-thousands-told-to-evacuate-flooding "undefined") during the storms, but those concerns have subsided since the storm’s peak. The worst of the storm appeared to be over by Sunday afternoon, according to Hawaii meteorologist Matthew Foster, who spoke with [the AP](https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-floods-power-outages-damage-7bb1c7d2b3d6f411cfe68c050214365e "undefined"). Evacuation orders have been lifted, and as of Monday afternoon, power had been restored for most people impacted by outages; fewer than 200 customers were without power across the state, according to tracker [poweroutage.us](https://poweroutage.us/area/state/hawaii "undefined"). Though lighter rains continue in Hawaii in the storm’s wake, dryer weather can be expected by Wednesday. However, more flooding could still occur in isolated areas, Foster told the AP. ## The recovery process “While the immediate threat from the storm has passed, recovery efforts continue across the islands as state and county crews assess damage, clear debris and restore impacted infrastructure,” Green said on Sunday night. He added that “state offices and operations statewide will reopen following the severe weather brought by the recent Kona Low storm system,” and noted that public schools would resume operations “with the exception of a small number of campuses on Hawaiʻi Island, Oʻahu and Moloka‘i, that remain closed due to storm-related damage, access issues or safety concerns.” The National Guard in Hawaii has assisted in the recovery efforts, aiding Honolulu responders, Green [announced](https://www.facebook.com/reel/765899329707230 "undefined") on social media on Friday. “Additional resources are continuing to deploy across Oʻahu. We are coordinating closely with state and county partners to support evacuations, open shelters, and keep our communities safe.” Hawaii County Mayor Kimo Alameda Alameda said that state and county leaders are in contact to coordinate recovery efforts, which include expanding access to transfer stations and green waste facilities where residents can get rid of storm debris. Alameda said over the weekend that residents had filed hundreds of damage reports over the last two weeks from the consecutive storms. “We received over 300 responses in terms of damage assessments from the residents and over almost 100 just commercial,” Alameda said to [Hawaii News Now](https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2026/03/22/mayor-hawaii-island-shifts-full-recovery-mode-post-storm/ "undefined"), noting that the county would shift into full recovery mode.  Glenn Duquez, associate pastor at the Church of God Jesus is Alive Fellowship, carries a lamp into the mud-riddled church building to clean up after the fast-moving flood in Haleiwa, Hawaii, on March 21, 2026. Stephen Lam—San Francisco Chronicle/Getty Images ## How you can help Beyond the government efforts, several organizations are working to support Hawaii’s recovery. [Hawaii Food Bank](https://hawaiifoodbank.org/ "undefined") is providing food assistance in the wake of the storms. You can [donate](https://hawaiifoodbank.org/?form=FUNLSDJGUQN "undefined") or [sign up to volunteer](https://hawaiifoodbank.org/get-involved/volunteer/ "undefined") with the organization online. The [American Red Cross](https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2026/disaster-teams-helping-in-hawaii-after-catastrophic-flooding.html?srsltid=AfmBOoo3XMA1k8AQDm1IF1HW1C2HEOPTm9YwxriJNNrJlelI20IedMZA "undefined") is on the ground in Hawaii assisting in recovery efforts and providing shelter to those who have been displaced by the severe flooding. You can donate to their ongoing efforts by calling 1-800-RED CROSS (800-733-2767) or texting the word REDCROSS to 90999\. You can also [sign up as a volunteer](https://www.redcross.org/volunteer/become-a-volunteer.html "undefined"). “If you are in Hawaii and want to help, more volunteers are needed immediately to help with sheltering and community care. No experience needed. Rapid training will be provided,” the Red Cross states on its website. The [Hawaiian Humane Society](https://www.hawaiianhumane.org/ "undefined") is taking donations of funds or supplies to help people and pets following the flooding. You can make a monetary donation [online](https://www.hawaiianhumane.org/recovery/ "undefined"), or find a wishlist of supplies to order on Amazon or drop off in person on the group’s website. [The Salvation Army](https://fundraise.salvationarmyhawaii.org/campaign/779616/donate "undefined")’s Hawaiian & Pacific Islands Division is also on the ground in the state, where it is working to provide supplies, meals, and other aid to people impacted by the flooding. Donations can be made [online](https://fundraise.salvationarmyhawaii.org/campaign/779616/donate "undefined"). Donations can also be made to the [Hawaii Community Foundation](https://www.hawaiicommunityfoundation.org/stronger-hawaii-donate "undefined")’s Stronger Hawai’i Fund, which the organization describes on its website as “a dedicated fund designed to support statewide disaster and emergency related preparedness, response, recovery, mitigation, and resilience.” “We will definitely be focused at this particular time on the flooding that’s happened across the state,” the Hawaii Community Foundation’s executive vice president, Michelle Kauhane, [told](https://www.khon2.com/kona-low/how-2-help-where-2-donate-for-recovery-efforts-following-severe-weather/ "undefined") local station KHON2, though she also noted that the fund is “pretty broad” and allows the organization “the flexibility to move as community needs change and evolve.” The [Hawaiian Council](https://givebutter.com/support-the-north-shore-community-4jobpv "undefined") is matching donations it receives, up to $100,000, for recovery efforts. The nonprofit said that its donation campaign, Kāko‘o O‘ahu, will “support evolving needs, including providing housing stability services, financial assistance, and other services to support impacted communities,” following this month’s storms and flooding. The [Hawaii Farmers Union Foundation](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted%5Fbutton%5Fid=UUJD8RQG4L3L6 "undefined") is also collecting donations to support farmers who were affected by the flooding. “As severe flooding and extreme weather impact the islands, we are once again reminded how quickly disaster can affect our farmers, food system, and rural communities,” the organization says on its website. “Our hearts are with the families and farmers facing flooded fields, damaged homes and equipment, and lost crops.” What to Know About Hawaii's Catastrophic Flooding, and How to Help ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/23/hawaii-flooding-storms-damage-how-to-help/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/article/2026/03/23/hawaii-flooding-storms-damage-how-to-help/"},"headline":"Hawaii Is Reeling From Catastrophic Flooding. 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