UPI: Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said a storm-related car crash caused the fatality on the Big Island. The crash also injured two other people Saturday night. He said the storm also caused 19 buildings to lose their roofs.

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HNL Alert--Flash Flood Warning

Flash Flood Warning issued August 16 at 4:36AM HST until August 16 at 7:30AM HST by NWS Honolulu HI

FFWHFO

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...

The island of Oahu in Honolulu County

* Until 730 AM HST.

* At 436 AM HST, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain over Oahu with

additional bands of heavy rain expected to move in over the next

few hours. Rain was falling at a rate of up to 2 inches per hour.

Local streams such as Manoa, Pukele and Kalihi are showing a quick

rise and flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy rain.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas,

highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor

drainage and low-lying areas.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...

Honolulu, Waipio, Pearl City, Mililani, Waikele, Aiea, Wahiawa,

Waipahu, Wheeler Field, Kunia, Halawa and Waiahole

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Clarification: Nāʻālehu Search and Rescue

News Release from Hawaii County Civil Defense, August 16, 2026 – 3:41AM (updates announcement released at 1:04AM)

To clarify, emergency responders initiated search-and-rescue operations for people who had called 9-1-1 but were not reachable due to flooding. No evacuation orders were issued. The information below has been updated.

The County of Hawaiʻi, in coordination with the Hawaiʻi National Guard and U.S. Coast Guard, is conducting search-and-rescue operations in Nāʻālehu and Waiʻōhinu due to severe flash flooding.

Rising flood waters have cutoff road access in the community in Kaʻū, and the County has received reports of homes being inundated. National Guard high water vehicles are being deployed to access individuals who had called 9-1-1 in flooded neighborhoods, and a Coast Guard helicopter is being utilized to assist these operations.

Any residents assisted by this operation were being taken to the following designated locations: Robert N. Herkes Gym in Pāhala and the area’s Department of Public Works base yard.

“Our highest priority is the safety of our residents,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “This is a joint operation between multiple County agencies – including Civil Defense, Police, Fire and Public Works – and our partners to ensure everyone is safe and accounted for. We ask residents in impacted neighborhoods to cooperate with these efforts and avoid entering flood waters. This is an unfolding situation, and we will provide updates as the situation progresses.”

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Hawaiʻi County Hurricane Lala Update--Evening of Saturday, Aug. 15

News Release from Hawaii County Civil Defense, August 15, 2026 – 6:41PM

As of 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, Hurricane Lala was 30 miles southwest of South Point with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.

Residents are urged to remain off roadways and shelter in place. Due to downed trees and flooded road conditions, emergency response efforts may be delayed.

For Hawaiʻi Island, the National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Hurricane Warning, meaning hurricane force winds (over 74 mph) are expected, as well as a Flood Watch, through Saturday night.

A Flash Flood Warning was in effect through 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 for Hāmākua, Hilo, Puna and Kaʻū. A high surf warning for east-facing shores remains in effect. Hurricane impacts are expected to continue at least through Sunday morning.

As of 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, the hurricane has produced heavy rainfall across large areas of the island, with accumulations of 5 to 15 inches in windward areas, and isolated amounts of over 20 inches. Wind gusts of over 50 mph have been reported across the island, with highest gusts exceeding 70 mph in South Point and 80 mph in Kohala.

Widespread power outages have been reported, and numerous road closures have occurred due to flooding and downed trees. Residents should be prepared for the possibility of extended power outages.

Road Closures (as of 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15)

• Highway 19: closed at mile marker 53.7
• Highway 250: closed between mile markers 2.5 and 21.5.
• Highway 11: closed between mile markers 57 and 62.
• Highway 11: closed between mile markers 65 and 66.
• Highway 270: closed at mile markers 2 and 5.
• Highway 11: closed at mile markers 54 and 65.
• Highway 11: single-lane closure between mile markers 67 and 69.
• Highway 19: single-lane closure Hilo Bayfront.
• Kalapana-Kapoho Beach Road: closed at mile marker 14.
• Kamehameha Avenue between Ponahawai Street and Manono Street.
• Government Beach Road from Hawaiians Shores to Waa Waa Road (residents only).
• Haao Springs Road.
• North Kulani Road
• Laupahoehoe Road (one lane open).
• Kaʻalaiki Road (Cane Haul Road).
• Mud Lane.
• East Kawailani Street between Hoonani Place and Kamalii Street.

County Facility & Bus Service Update

• All parks and park facilities are closed on Sunday, Aug. 16.
• Solid waste transfer stations are scheduled to open on Sunday, Aug. 16.
• All fixed route Hele-On buses and Paratransit services are cancelled for Sunday, Aug. 16.

Residents in need of immediate assistance — such as food, clothing, debris removal, or shelter — from a coalition of nonprofits, businesses, and government agencies can complete a request for assistance form at http://bit.ly/vh-rfa.

Damage reports can be submitted at the following link – Bit.ly/CDDisasterRecovery – or by calling Civil Defense at (808) 935-0031.

Shelters

The County has opened shelters at the locations below. Bring your own supplies, including food, water, sleeping bags, and any necessary medicine. Shelters are pet friendly. Pets must be kept in a carrier.

• Ikuo Hisaoka Gymnasium, 54-382 Kamehameha Park Road, Kapaʻau.
• Waikoloa Elementary School cafeteria, 68-1730 Hoʻoko St., Waikoloa.
• Kahilu Town Hall, 67-1182 Lindsey Road, Waimea
• Honokaʻa Gym, 45-541 Lehua St., Honokaʻa.
• Laupāhoehoe Public Charter School Band Room, 35-2605 Mamalahoa Highway, Laupāhoehoe.
• Waiākea High School Gym, 155 W. Kawili St., Hilo
• Keaʻau Armory, 16-512 Volcano Road, Keaʻau.
• Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, 15-2910 Kauhale St., Pāhoa.
• Robert N. Herkes Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala.
• Nāʻālehu Elementary School gym, 95-5545 Mamalahoa Highway, Nāʻālehu.
• Kealakehe High School Gym, 74-5000 Puohulihuli St., Kailua-Kona.
• Yano Hall, 82-6156 Māmalahoa Highway, Captain Cook.

Stay Informed

The County will provide updates as conditions evolve. Residents and visitors can receive emergency notifications by signing up for Civil Defense alerts at their website. Sign up for Civil Defense emergency alerts at bit.ly/HCCDAlerts.

View the County Hazard Impact Map here.