Flood Advisories Issued Across Hawaii as Heavy Rain Persists

Shelters open, parks and facilities close as officials monitor conditions

Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:05am

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A vast, atmospheric landscape painting in muted tones of gray, blue, and green, depicting a sweeping scene of heavy storm clouds obscuring a Hawaiian mountain range. The dramatic, moody composition conveys the overwhelming, sublime scale of the natural forces at play, with any physical structures or landmarks dwarfed by the elemental power of the weather.As another major storm system moves through the Hawaiian Islands, the awe-inspiring power of nature overwhelms the landscape.Kahuku Today

A series of flood advisories and a statewide flood watch were issued Sunday as heavy rain moved across the Hawaiian Islands, prompting emergency shelter use and temporary closures while officials prepared to resume normal operations today on Oahu. The National Weather Service warned that the storm system could bring prolonged periods of rain, particularly over Oahu and Molokai, with the potential for flash flooding due to saturated soils and elevated stream levels.

Why it matters

Hawaii has faced a series of major storm systems in recent weeks, leading to concerns about the cumulative impact on infrastructure, public safety, and the ability of emergency services to respond effectively. The latest round of flooding advisories highlights the need for continued preparedness and coordination between state and local authorities.

The details

Flood advisories were issued for multiple islands, including Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, and Maui, with forecasters warning that even light to moderate rain could cause ponding and localized flooding due to already-saturated ground. A flash flood warning was also issued for Molokai as heavy showers moved over central and eastern areas, increasing the risk of rapid flooding in Kawela Gulch. On Oahu, the City and County of Honolulu opened six emergency shelters, with two school-based shelters scheduled to close by 5 p.m. to allow campuses to prepare for classes today.

  • The National Weather Service issued multiple flood advisories and a statewide flood watch throughout Sunday.
  • The statewide flood watch remained in effect through 6 a.m. today.
  • The emergency shelters on Oahu will continue operations through at least Tuesday.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing alerts and advisories.

City and County of Honolulu

The local government authority that opened emergency shelters and coordinated the closure of municipal facilities in response to the heavy rain and flooding.

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What’s next

Officials urged the public to monitor conditions and avoid flooded roadways as unstable weather lingers into the week.

The takeaway

The latest round of flooding advisories in Hawaii highlights the need for continued preparedness and coordination between state and local authorities as the islands face a series of major storm systems. With soils already saturated and stream levels elevated, the potential for flash flooding remains a concern, underscoring the importance of public vigilance and the ability of emergency services to respond effectively.