Our island paradise receives an average of 271 sunny days each year – compared to just 205 days for the national average – but they don’t call it the Rainbow State for no reason. While we love a good rainbow, unfortunately, that also means Hawaii is no stranger to tropical storms and flash flooding. That was evident more than ever this week when major parts of the island chain were inundated with rain and flash floods caused devastation across the state.

Early this week, heavy rainfall caused flash floods, landslides, and fear of dam failures from Kauai to Hawaii Island, including in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (pictured).
NPS Photo/F.Aiona via Hawaii Volcanoes National Park/Facebook
The dangers of flash flooding are well-known here in the Aloha State. When met with heavy rainfall, streams and drainage points can easily overflow and cause significant damage.
Ryan De Seixas/Flickr
Extensive damage to both public and private properties led to a state of emergency being declared, while locals and tourists alike were told to either evacuate or shelter in place.
Ryan De Seixas/Flickr

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Between 3 and 19 inches of rainfall fell, and many residents agree that this is the worst flooding Hawaii has seen in recent years.
Ryan De Seixas/Flickr
The damage was unusually widespread. Across the islands, bridges and dams were damaged, homes were destroyed, and roads became impassable.
Ryan De Seixas/Flickr
On Oahu’s north shore, the laid-back tourist hotspot of Haleiwa looks unrecognizable. Surreal drone footage from YouTube user Ryan De Seixas taken on March 9, 2021 shows the horrifying extent of the damage. 
Ryan De Seixas/Flickr

We hope that everyone in Hawaii was able to stay safe during this period of heavy rainfall and that damage is repaired as quickly as possible. In lighter talk, did you know that Hawaii is home to one of the wettest places in the world? That’s right, Kauai’s own Mount Waialeale receives an average of 450 inches of rainfall each year.

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