Hawaii has been getting hammered by nonstop rain for two weeks, and now the islands are dealing with their worst flooding in almost 20 years. This relentless weather, powered by a strong Kona Low system, has left neighborhoods flooded, the ground saturated, and flash floods popping up across the state. As severe flooding hits Hawaii, the National Weather Service and local officials keep warning everyone that things are still dangerous, and there’s more rain on the way. So far, no one’s died, but there’s already a lot of damage, and the economic fallout is pretty serious.

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What Caused the Extreme Flooding Across Hawaii?

• Kona Low system: Heavy flooding was experienced due to the formation of a Kona Low system that brought more than 10+ inches of rainfall across the state of Hawaii, which is more than the normal March average of 2-6 inches of rainfall.
• Moisture-laden winds: According to research conducted by NOAA, heavy rainfall is experienced during Kona storms, indicating that Kona storms increase the intensity of rainfall by 200-300% more than normal weather.
• Saturation levels of the soil: Heavy flooding occurred due to the fully saturated soil condition that arose from continuous rainfall experienced for two weeks, meaning that even small amounts of rainfall caused flash flooding.
• Influence of climate variability: The research indicated that for every degree of increased temperature in the Pacific Ocean, there is a 7% increase in moisture.

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How Serious Is the Damage and Impact on the Community?

• Mass rescue operations: Over 200 people were rescued, with floodwaters covering roads and homes, which shows the severity of flash flooding.
• Infrastructure damage: Dozens of homes have been damaged by March 20, which shows the impact on homes, roads, schools, airports, and hospitals in Kula.
• Economic impact: The damages are estimated to be over $1 billion, which shows the strain on the state’s resources.
• Alerts and warnings: A flood watch has been issued across the state, mainly in Oʻahu and Maui County, where there is a risk of landslides and road closures.

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Why Are Such Extreme Floods Becoming More Frequent?

The effects of climate change on extreme rainfall, like the ones seen recently in Hawaii, will make them more common as the climate continues to change. Warmer Sea Surface Temperatures (SST’s) in the Pacific increase the rate of evaporation – this process, along with increased amounts of moisture in the atmosphere, leads to more and larger storms, such as Kona Lows, with greater intensity and severity.

Since the mid-20th century, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) have shown that extreme precipitation events have increased globally by 30%, particularly in tropical regions. Severe flooding hits Hawaii, representing a significant environmental and infrastructure challenge for our planet, with the problems of these types of disasters and the cost associated with them exceeding $1 billion in damages.

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