Hawaii Storm Shatters Rainfall Records Since 1951

More heavy rain is expected in the coming days, raising flood concerns.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 6:33pm by Ben Kaplan

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A powerful storm system has brought record-breaking rainfall to Hawaii, with some areas receiving over 50 inches of rain in the past 72 hours. The deluge has caused widespread flooding and prompted emergency declarations across multiple islands. Meteorologists warn that additional heavy rain is expected in the coming days, raising concerns about the potential for further flooding and damage.

Why it matters

Hawaii is no stranger to heavy rain and tropical storms, but this event has been particularly extreme, shattering rainfall records that date back to 1951. The flooding has forced evacuations, closed roads, and caused damage to homes and infrastructure across the state. With more rain on the way, there are growing concerns about the long-term impacts on Hawaii's communities and economy.

The details

The storm system has tapped into an atmospheric river, funneling a firehose of moisture from the tropical Pacific into the Hawaiian islands. Some locations have reported over 50 inches of rain since Monday, with the town of Hanalei on the island of Kauai receiving a staggering 56 inches. This shatters the previous 24-hour rainfall record for the state of 49 inches, set in 1956. The deluge has caused widespread flooding, with numerous roads and bridges washed out, forcing evacuations in some areas.

  • The storm system arrived in Hawaii on Monday, March 13, 2026.
  • Some areas have received over 50 inches of rain in the past 72 hours.
  • The previous 24-hour rainfall record for Hawaii was 49 inches, set in 1956.

The players

Greg Porter

A senior newsroom meteorologist at the San Francisco Chronicle, with over 7 years of experience working as a meteorologist for the Capital Weather Gang at the Washington Post. Porter has a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Atmospheric Science.

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What they’re saying

“This storm has been particularly extreme, shattering rainfall records that date back to 1951. The flooding has forced evacuations, closed roads, and caused damage to homes and infrastructure across the state.”

— Greg Porter, Senior Newsroom Meteorologist (sfchronicle.com)

What’s next

Meteorologists are closely monitoring the situation and warn that additional heavy rain is expected in the coming days, raising concerns about the potential for further flooding and damage.

The takeaway

The record-breaking rainfall in Hawaii serves as a stark reminder of the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change. As communities work to recover from the immediate impacts, there will be important discussions about disaster preparedness, infrastructure resilience, and long-term strategies to mitigate the effects of such powerful storms.