Flash Flood Warning Triggers Home Flooding, Sandbag Requests in Puna District

At least one home near Hawaiian Paradise Park took on water Tuesday night as a Flash Flood Warning gripped the Puna and Kau districts, prompting emergency managers to field sandbag requests while rainfall rates peaked at 3 inches per hour.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu issued the Flash Flood Warning for Hawaii County at 11:09 PM HST, citing radar and automated rain gauges showing heavy rain falling over the Puna and Kau districts at rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour, with the heaviest showers concentrated over Puna. The home flooding near Hawaiian Paradise Park was among the first confirmed impacts reported to emergency managers, and sandbag requests followed as more residents braced for rising water.

Flooding was described as ongoing or expected to begin shortly, with hazards extending to drainages, streams, rivers, roads, and other low-lying properties. The affected area stretched across a wide stretch of East Hawaii, with locations including Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiian Acres, Orchidlands Estates, Keaau, Pahoa, Fern Forest, Fern Acres, Glenwood, Mountain View, Volcano, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and communities as far south as Pahala, Wood Valley, Naalehu, and Waiohinu.

Hawaii County Civil Defense classified the flooding as life-threatening, urging all residents in flood-prone areas to remain on alert and move to high ground as necessary. Officials also warned drivers and pedestrians not to attempt crossing flowing water, emphasizing the turn-around-don't-drown message, and cautioned that road closures could occur without warning.

Landslide risk accompanied the extreme rainfall, with emergency managers urging residents to stay well clear of streams throughout the warning period.

Residents seeking sandbags could submit a request by emailing dpwhwy@hawaiicounty.gov or by calling the Department of Public Works at 808-961-8321 or Hawaii County Civil Defense at 808-935-0031.

The warning covered the full island of Hawaii, and conditions remained dangerous through the overnight hours as the low-pressure system driving the rain continued pushing moisture across the district.