Powerful Storm Batters Hawaii, Prompting Evacuations and Closures

Flooding, landslides, and power outages impact residents and tourists as officials urge people to stay indoors.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 8:09pm

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A powerful storm continues to batter Hawaii, bringing significant flash flooding, damaging winds, strong thunderstorms, and snow and ice over the highest Big Island summits. The storm has prompted evacuations, school closures, and widespread power outages, while also disrupting the tourism industry as visitors are urged to stay off the roads and remain indoors.

Why it matters

Hawaii's tourism industry is a critical part of the state's economy, and the severe weather conditions have forced the cancellation of many boat tours and other activities, impacting businesses and visitors. The storm also poses risks to residents, with flash flooding, landslides, and power outages creating dangerous conditions that require emergency response and preparedness.

The details

The National Weather Service has issued flash flood warnings, flood watches, and high wind warnings for much of the state, with the severe weather expected to last through the weekend. Flooding has forced evacuations on Oahu, while landslides remain a major concern. Public schools on Oahu, Kauai, and Maui have been closed due to the storm, and thousands of residents have been impacted by power outages and road closures.

  • The storm began battering Hawaii on Friday, March 13, 2026.
  • Flash flood warnings and a flood watch remain in place as of Saturday morning, March 14, 2026.
  • The severe weather is expected to continue through the weekend and into early next week.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for issuing weather forecasts and warnings for the United States, including Hawaii.

Liana Hong

A deck hand at Living Ocean Tours, a company that operates boat tours out of Oahu.

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What they’re saying

“We're out on the water with our tours, so we've had to cancel a lot of them. I'm sure all the other companies are canceling too. It's definitely affecting a lot of business.”

— Liana Hong, Deck hand at Living Ocean Tours

What’s next

The National Weather Service will continue to monitor the storm and issue updates on the ongoing impacts and expected duration of the severe weather.

The takeaway

This powerful storm serves as a reminder of the significant impact that extreme weather can have on Hawaii's residents, infrastructure, and tourism industry. As climate change continues to influence weather patterns, it will be crucial for the state to invest in resilient infrastructure and emergency preparedness to protect its communities and economy.