NAALEHU, Hawaii — Two homes have already been swept away by flash flooding Sunday night in Naalehu, with rain falling at rates of 3 to 5 inches per hour across the Kau District. A Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS) Flash Flood Emergency, one of the highest-level flood alerts issued in the US, was in effect until 1:00 a.m. HST, with catastrophic damage already confirmed and law enforcement reporting active flooding on the ground.
What the PDS Flash Flood Emergency Shows
- Alert type: Flash Flood Emergency, tagged Particularly Dangerous Situation
- Location: Naalehu, Kau District, Hawaii Island
- Confirmed damage: two homes already swept away
- Rainfall rate: 3 to 5 inches per hour
- Damage threat: Catastrophic damage expected
- Source: law enforcement reported
- Expires: 1:00 a.m. HST, Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026
- Nearby areas in the warned corridor: Pahala, Hawaiian Ocean View, Hawaiian Paradise Park
Why Law Enforcement Confirmation Raises the Stakes
Unlike alerts based purely on radar estimates, this Flash Flood Emergency carries law enforcement reported confirmation, meaning officials on the ground had already verified serious flooding, including two homes swept away, before the alert reached its midpoint. Combined with the PDS designation and rainfall rates of 3 to 5 inches per hour, this signals forecasters had extremely high confidence the flooding was not just severe but actively destroying property in real time, a level of urgency well beyond a standard flash flood warning.
What to Watch For as the Emergency Remains in Effect
As of this writing, two homes have been confirmed swept away by floodwaters in Naalehu. No additional injury or rescue figures beyond that confirmation have been published. The emergency remains in effect until 1:00 a.m. HST. This article will be updated as additional damage, rescue, or casualty information becomes available.
Safety Guide: What to Do During a Catastrophic PDS Flash Flood Emergency
Right now, if you’re in the Kau District:
- Move to higher ground immediately: don’t wait to see how bad it gets
- Do not walk, swim, or drive through flood waters: turn around, don’t drown
- Get above the reach of rising water if you cannot evacuate safely
While the emergency is in effect:
- Stay off the roads unless you are fleeing rising water
- Move to the highest level of your home if evacuation isn’t possible
- Keep your phone charged in case you need to call for help or receive updates
After the water recedes:
- Do not return home until officials confirm it’s safe
- Watch for washed-out roads, especially given how quickly this flooding developed
- Check on neighbors, particularly in Naalehu and Pahala where confirmed damage has already occurred
A Rare Level of Urgency for the Big Island
Sunday night’s PDS Flash Flood Emergency marks one of the more serious flooding events the Kau District has faced, with confirmed home losses and law enforcement verification underscoring just how quickly this storm turned dangerous. With rain still falling at rates capable of overwhelming the terrain, residents across Naalehu and the surrounding district are being urged to treat this as an active, life-threatening emergency rather than a routine storm warning.
For more coverage like this, check back for the latest severe weather updates.
