U.S. Coast Guard rescues 7 people and a dog after worst flooding in 20 years hits Hawaii

Extreme flooding devastates O'ahu as power restoration continues and evacuation orders lift

Mar. 22, 2026 at 9:18pm

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The United States Coast Guard (USCG) and Navy aircrews rescued seven people and a dog during extreme flooding in O'ahu, Hawaii. The USCG received a distress report Friday morning about multiple people stranded across the island due to the worsening flood conditions.

Why it matters

This rescue operation highlights the critical role of the Coast Guard and other emergency responders in protecting lives during natural disasters. The severe flooding in Hawaii has caused widespread damage and disruption, underscoring the increasing threat of extreme weather events driven by climate change.

The details

Coast Guard Sector Honolulu coordinated the response, deploying an MH-60 Seahawk helicopter crew to Waialua where five people and a dog were trapped on a rooftop. The crew rescued them and brought them safely to Coast Guard Air Station Barbers Point. Later, an MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew rescued two people stranded near Yokohama Bay due to washed-out flooded roads. The man and woman had written 'SOS' in the sand, which the helicopter crew spotted from the air.

  • On Friday morning, the USCG received a distress report about multiple people stranded across O'ahu due to the flooding.
  • In the afternoon, the USCG MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew rescued two people stranded near Yokohama Bay.

The players

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

The U.S. Coast Guard is the maritime security, search and rescue, and marine safety branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services.

U.S. Navy

The United States Navy is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States.

Cmdr. Jeffrey Padilla

The incident commander at Coast Guard Sector Honolulu.

Josh Green

The Governor of Hawaii who stated this is the largest flood his state has seen in 20 years.

FEMA

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, which is working closely with the state of Hawaii to provide support for rescue and shelter operations.

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What they’re saying

“Safety of life remains our top priority. We are working closely with our partners, including the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and Honolulu County first responders, to support developing search and rescue efforts.”

— Cmdr. Jeffrey Padilla, Incident Commander, Sector Honolulu

“The bravery and selfless service of these Coast Guard personnel embody the best of what it means to be an American. Thank you to these heroes and all the Coast Guard personnel who continue working around the clock to protect our homeland.”

— Department of Homeland Security

What’s next

FEMA said it stands ready to provide additional support to Hawaii to help protect lives and communities as the state leads rescue and shelter operations. The Hawaii National Guard has also activated approximately 200 soldiers and airmen to support all counties across the state in response to the ongoing storm.

The takeaway

This rescue operation demonstrates the critical role of the U.S. Coast Guard and other emergency responders in saving lives during extreme weather events driven by climate change. The severe flooding in Hawaii has caused widespread damage, underscoring the need for continued preparedness and resilience efforts to protect vulnerable communities.