Flash Flood — Maui, Hawaii

2021-03-08 · near Haiku, Maui, Hawaii

Event narrative

Hana Highway was closed from Peahi Road near Haiku to Keanae in windward East Maui due to flooding. A dam failure in the same area was a possibility as water topped the Kaupakulua Dam upstream from the Haiku and Pauwela communities. The dam survived the downpours, however.

Wider weather episode

A slow-moving surface trough, heading east to west, and an upper disturbance triggered heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms that caused flash flooding in some instances. Damages occurred to public and private property, including roads and bridges washed out. Nine homes were destroyed, 44 suffered major damage, and 55 suffered minor damage. No significant injuries were reported.

View location on OpenStreetMap → (20.9100, -156.2900)

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 938300. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.