Debris Flow in Hawaii
Every debris flow event the National Weather Service has filed in Hawaii, year by year, with the most significant episodes. A fast-moving slurry of mud, rock and debris, usually on a slope soaked by heavy rain or stripped by a fire.
The most significant on the map
The most significant debris flow episodes in Hawaii.
- Tornadoes
- Tropical storms and surge
- Floods
- Wind
- Hail
- Winter weather
- Heat and drought
- Cold
- Fire, smoke and dust
- Marine and coastal
- Other
The record
- Events
- 25
- Deaths
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Damage
- $3.9 million
Every year
The most significant
Ranked by deaths, injuries, damage and size together.
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in Hawaii, March 6 to 11, 2021A 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.
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in Hawaii, April 11 to 16, 2018A developing upper low northwest of the state, in combination with tropical moisture, induced periods of heavy showers and thunderstorms, and generated historic flash flooding conditions over the Garden Isle of Kauai.
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flow in Hawaii, May 10 to 13, 2024A low pressure system in the upper levels of the atmosphere brought unstable conditions which allowed thunderstorms and heavy rain to develop. As a result of the thunderstorms and heavy rain, flooding and flash flooding was observed over portions of the Islands.
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flow in Hawaii, September 11 to 13, 2018As Tropical Storm Olivia approached the islands from the east-northeast and then made a double landfall in Maui County on September 12th, it brought gusty winds and heavy precipitation. Most of its effects were concentrated over Maui, Molokai, and Oahu.
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flow in Hawaii, March 11 to 15, 2021Conditions remained unstable across most of the Aloha State with features aloft and at the surface west of the islands. Low level moisture continued to pool over the area, and the result was more heavy precipitation and periods of flash flooding.
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in Hawaii, November 7 to 11, 2013An upper level low north of the islands combined with a surface trough and shear line to produce heavy rain and flash flooding over parts of the Aloha State. There were no reports of serious injuries. The cost of damages was not available.
- Flash Flood and Debris Flow in Hawaii, December 24 to 27, 2019A cold front with good upper level support pushed its way through the island chain around the Christmas holiday, bringing periods of heavy precipitation, isolated thunderstorms, and strong to high winds.
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flow in Hawaii, December 1 to 2, 2013An advancing cold front and upper trough brought heavy rain, thunderstorms, and/or flash flooding to portions of Kauai, Oahu, and Molokai. The total cost of damages was not available.
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flows in Hawaii, February 22 to 26, 2018With an upper trough west of the islands and a surface trough over the state, heavy showers, including thunderstorms, formed across the local area. Heavy snow also fell over the summits of Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaii.
- Debris Flow and Flooding in Hawaii, December 20 to 21, 2023Abundant low level moisture and atmospheric instability led to periods of heavy rainfall with flooding over portions of the islands.
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flow in Hawaii, March 26 to 29, 2013A strong upper trough moving from the northwest re-energized the remnants of an old front. Heavy rain drenched the Garden Isle of Kauai, producing flash flooding in some instances. The inclement weather spread to other isles as well.
- Flash Flood and Debris Flow in Hawaii, January 10 to 12, 2020With plenty of moisture near the surface and unstable conditions aloft, heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms developed across much of the state. Flash flooding occurred on the Big Island of Hawaii, as well. No serious injuries were reported.
- Flash Flooding and Debris Flow in Hawaii, March 14 to 15, 2018An area of low pressure west of the Aloha State produced heavy showers and thunderstorms. The precipitation led to flash flooding over portions of Kauai and Maui. There were no reports of significant injuries. The cost of any damages was not available.
- Debris Flows and Flooding in Hawaii, November 30, 2023A kona low developed west-northwest of the Hawaiian Islands and brought periods of heavy rainfall and isolated thunderstorms. Heavy rainfall lead to localized flash flooding and landslides across portions of the State.
- Debris Flows and Heavy Rain in Hawaii, January 3 to 6, 2014A cold front moved through the islands and brought heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms. Small hail was reported in some areas, and strong winds fell trees and utility poles. However, there were no reports of serious injuries.
More
Sources
NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24.