Flood Hazards Gallery

In November 2000, the Big Island was hit with an enormous amount of rainfall, resulting in flooding in Hilo, Puna, and Kaʻū. The November 2000 flood dropped a record-breaking amount of rain on the southeastern half of the Big Island. A total of 37 inches of rain fell in 24 hours at Kapāpala Ranch near the town of Pāhala. Out of this total, an incredible 22.25 inches fell in just 6 hours.

Video Gallery

Year 2000 Mega Flood on the Big Island

The Millennium Flood resulted from two tropical storms stacking one atop the other. The footage of Pāhala’s flash flood is amazing; the road and bridge are completely underwater, as standing waves rush through the area.

Year 1994 Giant Waves Invade Condo at Keaukaha

This video was shot by Tom Robb, a geology student here at UH Hilo, from his home in Keaukaha. The waves were generated by a giant storm, and illustrate the type of flooding that can occur in Hawaiʻi from hurricane storm surge and from tsunamis.

Flood vs Drought in Hilo

This video showcases astonishing footage of the 1994 & 2000 floods in Hilo, comparing them to drought conditions in February 2010; each segment shows the area dry, followed by what it looks like underwater.

photo of Komohana floodFlooding in Hilo’s Aleanaio Channel below Komohana.

photo of Kikaha floodFlooding in Hilo near Kawailani Street.

photo of Pāhala floodFlooding in Pāhala.

photo of Bayfront floodFlooding in Hilo near the soccer fields on bayfront.

photo of truck stuck in floodThis is why it’s a bad idea to drive through flooded streets.

Flood Photos

Water running over the top of Wailuku fallsThe Wailuku River carried so much water that the rocks at the top of the falls were barely visible.

Waiākea stream, next to UH Hilo dorms, running very highThe Waiākea Stream overflowed, saturating the grounds of the UH Hilo dorms.

Komohana street roadway with culvert washed outOn Komohana Street, the culvert and overlying road were washed away.

Man stands in front of a giant culvert outside.The Komohana culvert washed up in someone’s backyard.

Damaged roadway by a bridge, with stop sign on the ground.The bridge along Highway 11 near Pāhala Hospital was heavily damaged.

Boulders scattered about the road after a floodBoulders strewn over the highway attest to the strength of the flood.

Police SUV parked next to a flooded roadwayA police officer surveys the flood damaged road.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense Active Alerts

Visit the Civil Defense website for up-to-date information.