Historic Hawaii floods leave 2,000 people without power

HONOLULU (AP) — More than 2,000 people remained without power Sunday afternoon after Hawaii suffered its worst flooding in more than 20 years when heavy rains fell across the islands.

Heavy rains fell on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago. Raging waters lifted homes and cars, causing an expected $1 billion in damages. The storm prompted evaluation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu — though they were later lifted — and more than 200 people were rescued from the rising waters. No deaths have been reported as of yet, Molly Pierce, spokesperson for Oahu's Department of Emergency Management, said Sunday afternoon.

By Sunday afternoon, Hawaiian Electric restored power to about 1,200 people in Waialua on the North Shore of O’ahu, according to the company. Customers' power was proactively turned off Friday because of the flooding.

Crews continue to assess the damage and make repairs, and Hawaiian Electric expects to return power to 2,000 more people later Sunday. On Maui County about 100 people were without power Sunday afternoon, and all major outages were addressed on Hawai'i Island, according to the company.

The worst of the storms appear to be over, Hawaii meteorologist Matthew Foster told The Associated Press.

By Sunday afternoon, the weather shifted from widespread showers to scattered rain from Oahu, Maui County to Big Island, Foster said. Less than 5 inches (13 cm) of rain is expected for the Big Island, with between 1 to 2 inches (3-5 cm) in other areas.

Winds will pick up out of the northeast sides of the islands, which have more vegetation and can handle more rain, Foster said. It will take a couple days for the moisture to push past the islands, and drier and more typical March weather can be expected by Wednesday.

Additional flooding could still occur, but more on an isolated scale rather than widespread, Foster said.

A boil water notice remained in place Sunday for North Shore areas from Mokuleia to Turtle Bay, and residents were encouraged to report damages to the city.

Gov. Josh Green said the cost of the storm could top $1 billion, including damage to airports, schools, roads, homes and a Maui hospital in Kula.

Officials were concerned that the 120-year-old Wahiawa dam could fail, though that worry has primarily passed since water levels have dropped, Pierce said. The dam continues to be monitored.

Winter storm systems known as “Kona lows,” which feature southerly or southwesterly winds that bring in moisture-laden air, have been responsible for the deluges in the past two weeks. The intensity and frequency of heavy rains in Hawaii have increased amid human-caused global warming, experts say.

The Ala Wai Golf Course is seen inundated with water from the recent storms, as Hawaiians work to recover from one of the worst floods in decades, in Waikiki, Hawaii, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi surveys flood damages in Haleiwa, Hawaii Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Linda Griffith, left, embraces neighbor Frankie, the day after a fast-moving flood damaged much of their neighborhood in Haleiwa, Hawaii Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Glenn Duquez, associate pastor at the Church of God Jesus is Alive Fellowship, carries a lamp into the mud-riddled church building to clean up after the fast-moving flood in Haleiwa, Hawaii Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Linda Griffith wades through a flooded yard in Haleiwa, Hawaii Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Philip Holman flushes mud from his lifted truck's engine bay the day after it was fully submerged by the fast-moving flood in Haleiwa, Hawaii Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Stephen Lam/San Francisco Chronicle via AP)

Tessa Dellarose scored her first professional goal in her first start and the Chicago Stars beat the Kansas City Current 2-1 on Sunday in the National Women's Soccer League.

In the only other match Sunday, San Diego edged the Utah Royals 2-1.

Chicago's win was the team's first of the season after losing 4-0 to Angel City FC last weekend, and it came in windy conditions at the Stars' new home, Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium.

Dellarose, who was on the 2024 NCAA championship team at North Carolina, scored in the 42nd minute off Sam Staab’s corner, bicycle-kicking the ball with her left foot after a failed attempt by the Current to clear it from the box.

The Current, winners of the NWSL Shield last season, had several more offensive chances than the Stars and put a shot on goal in the first minute of the game. The Stars spent a majority of time on defense but played with more attacking confidence in the second half.

In the 50th minute, Jordyn Huitema, who spent four seasons with Seattle before joining the Stars, scored Chicago’s second goal. running in and heading the crossing attack from Ryan Gareis.

Haley Hopkins subbed into the match for the Current in the second half and put Kansas City on the board in the 57th minute. Penelope Hocking had an opportunity to tie it late, but the attempt was wide right.

Lia Godfrey scored her first career goal in the 87th minute to lift visiting San Diego over Utah.

Utah played the final 10 minutes of the match down a player after Tatumn Milazzo was shown her second yellow card. The Royals, who set an NWSL record in 2025 with 54 yellow cards, had three yellow cards.

Kenza Dali’s one touch pass found Godfrey with enough space to take a touch and fire the game winner across her body past Utah goalkeeper Mia Justus.

The Wave led for a majority of the match after taking advantage of Utah’s defensive blunders when Maria Eduarda Rodrigues Silva scored in the 17th minute.

In the 67th minute, Lara Prasnikar made NWSL history, becoming the first Slovenian player to ever score as Utah had equalized the match. But the Royals have never defeated the Wave, and fell to 0-2 on the season.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Kansas City Current forward Haley Hopkins (13) makes a play on the ball against the Portland Thorns FC during an NWSL soccer match in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Peter Aiken)