A Flash Flood WARNING for the island of Maui, posted early Tuesday, is in effect until 4:30 a.m. HST and is keeping overnight travelers on alert. Forecasters report heavy bands of rain pounding windward slopes, with steep valleys channeling the water into fast-moving runoff that can quickly overwhelm low-lying roads. Stream gauges are running high, raising the risk of sudden flooding, and officials are urging residents and visitors to move to higher ground and stay off flooded roads.
What Officials Are Saying
According to the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, the Flash Flood WARNING currently covers the entire island and will stay in place until 4:30 a.m. HST. The agency is reminding the public that its social media feeds are not monitored around the clock and is stressing that anyone facing immediate danger should call 9-1-1.
Where Flood Danger Is Highest
The hazard maps and product pages from the National Weather Service in Honolulu show flash-flood alerts across windward and central Maui. In these areas, steep terrain can funnel torrential rain into fast-rising streams, while low-lying roads may become impassable with little warning. Forecasters caution that even brief bursts of heavy rain can send streams and culverts surging, making night-time driving especially hazardous.
Storm Context And Local Impacts
The warning follows several days of heavy rain from a Kona low that has already brought widespread flooding and power outages across the islands, according to The Associated Press. On Maui, crews have been dealing with downed trees, road closures, and scattered power interruptions as they work to clear debris and reopen key routes, reporting by Maui Now shows.
How To Stay Safe
Officials urge people in flood-prone zones to move to higher ground, stay away from river and stream beds, and never attempt to drive through standing or moving water, in line with the state’s emergency guidance, according to the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency. The NWS Honolulu guidance reinforces the familiar “Turn Around, Don't Drown” rule and advises residents and visitors to sign up for local alerts for real-time updates. For any immediate threats, officials say to call 9-1-1.
