Maui County Alerts
MEMA ALERT: County of Maui Kona storm update as of noon 3-14-26
County of Maui Kona storm update as of noon 3-14-26
STORM UPDATE
A powerful kona storm continues to hit Maui County, forcing widespread road closures and property damage from
flooding, landslides, sinkholes, downed power lines and other impacts. National Weather Service (NWS) anticipates
severe weather will continue through Sunday for Maui County. Maui Fire Department conducted floodwater rescues
overnight in South Maui; also last night, dozens of people, who are now at a shelter, were cut off in Hāna due to road
washout. Over the last 14 hours, some areas received more than 20 inches of rain (Kula) and wind gusts more than 70
mph (Kaunakakai), according to NWS.
SHELTERS
Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and American Red Cross began proactively opening shelters around the
County on Thursday, 3/12, and more than 100 people are utilizing shelters countywide at this time. Shelters provide
cots, food and water. Bring bedding, along with essential supplies and medications. Pets are permitted if they are in
crates. The duration of the shelters will depend on the severity of the weather. Additional sites will open if further needs
arise, according to MEMA.
Shelter locations are:
• LĀNAʻI: Lānaʻi High & Elementary School Gym, 555 Fraser Ave., Lānaʻi City
• EAST MAUI: Hāna High School Cafeteria, 4111 Hāna Highway, Hāna
• CENTRAL MAUI: Maui High School Gym, 660 Lono Ave., Kahului
• MOLOKAʻI: Kaunakakai Gym, 180 Ala Malama Ave., Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi
• WEST MAUI: Lahaina Civic Center: 1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway, Lahaina
• SOUTH MAUI: South Maui Community Park Gym: 1501 Līloa Drive, Kīhei
ROADWAY ADVISORIES
The public is strongly advised AGAINST driving through pooling or moving water. MEMA and Maui Police Department
are urging residents and visitors to stay off roadways unless travel is essential during the severe weather event to
allow for emergency access and minimize safety concerns. Roadways remain hazardous due to debris, flooding and
limited turnaround space. Travel on Hāna Highway into East Maui is inaccessible due to multiple roadway blockages.
South Kīhei Road is closed north of Waipuilani, with all of North Kīhei Road also closed. Haleakalā National Park’s
summit and Kīpahulu districts are closed, according to the National Park Service. The public is urged not to attempt
travel into these areas until further notice. Treat any traffic light that is out or malfunctioning as a four-way stop.
ROAD CLOSURES
For updates on County of Maui road closures, visit https://www.mauicounty.gov/roadclosures or download the Genasys
Protect app at mauicounty.gov/MEMA.
WATER CONSERVATION ADVISORY
Due to inclement weather, Department of Water Supply advises all Maui County residents and visitors to conserve
water during this time due to safety concerns related to potential power and electronic system disruptions. Please
limit nonessential water use until conditions improve. Sign up for DWS News Flash notifications at
https://www.mauicounty.gov/list.aspx.
COUNTY CLOSURES
All County of Maui countywide offices, parks, facilities and services are closed today, 3/14, due to severe weather
impacts and to minimize roadway traffic. Only essential workers are reporting to duty.
STORM BACKGROUND
A large, prolonged Kona storm is bringing periods of heavy rain and flash flooding to Maui County and the rest of the
state. NWS issued a flood watch for Maui County from Wednesday morning through Sunday afternoon, 3/15. Several
flash flood warnings have been issued for Molokaʻi and Maui. A high wind warning for Maui County went into effect
Thursday evening, 3/12, through Sunday evening, 3/15. Watches mean hazardous conditions are possible. Advisories
mean hazardous conditions are occurring, imminent or likely. Warnings mean hazardous conditions are imminent or
already happening.
COUNTY RESPONSE
Mayor Richard Bissen signed an emergency proclamation on 3/10 that lets the County access State and Federal
assistance and streamlines procedures to quickly deploy resources, personnel and services if needed. County
Emergency Operations Center went into activation as of 6 a.m. Thursday, 3/12.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS
MEMA is working with local and state partners to continue assessing damage from the storm. Residents and
businesses impacted by the storm may submit damage reports to MEMA online
at https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/mauiHI/request.html. Damage reports after a severe weather event help
assess impacts, prioritize response efforts and access recovery resources.
MORE INFORMATION
For the latest information, visit NWS at https://www.weather.gov/hfo/ and subscribe to MEMA alerts at
mauicounty.gov/MEMA.
County Department of Water Supply advises residents to conserve water during ongoing kona storm
The County of Maui Department of Water Supply (DWS) advises all residents and visitors to conserve water
during the prolonged kona storm due to safety concerns related to potential power and electronic system
disruptions. Non-essential water use should be limited until conditions improve.
Severe weather such as high winds, heavy rain and flooding damage water facilities and sources or disrupt
power to wells and pumping stations, which may lead to temporary water service interruptions. In some
cases, damage to infrastructure may require temporary water shutoffs while crews assess conditions and
make repairs. For safety reasons, certain repairs and maintenance activities may need to wait until weather
conditions improve.
To help maintain water availability for essential needs, residents and visitors are advised to:
• Use water only for essential needs, such as drinking, cooking and personal hygiene.
• Turn off irrigation systems, ice makers and other devices that automatically draw water.
• Avoid unnecessary water use whenever possible.
DWS may issue notifications regarding water service interruptions, conservation requests or water quality
advisories through its News Flash notifications. Sign up via County of Maui website
at https://www.mauicounty.gov/list.aspx. To subscribe, create a login, scroll down to News Flash, and
select notifications for the Department of Water Supply.
For general DWS information, visit www.mauicounty.gov/water.
STORM UPDATE
A powerful kona storm continues to hit Maui County, forcing widespread road closures and property damage from
flooding, landslides, sinkholes, downed power lines and other impacts. National Weather Service (NWS) anticipates
severe weather will continue through Sunday for Maui County. Maui Fire Department conducted floodwater rescues
overnight in South Maui; also last night, dozens of people, who are now at a shelter, were cut off in Hāna due to road
washout. Over the last 14 hours, some areas received more than 20 inches of rain (Kula) and wind gusts more than 70
mph (Kaunakakai), according to NWS.
SHELTERS
Maui Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) and American Red Cross began proactively opening shelters around the
County on Thursday, 3/12, and more than 100 people are utilizing shelters countywide at this time. Shelters provide
cots, food and water. Bring bedding, along with essential supplies and medications. Pets are permitted if they are in
crates. The duration of the shelters will depend on the severity of the weather. Additional sites will open if further needs
arise, according to MEMA.
Shelter locations are:
• LĀNAʻI: Lānaʻi High & Elementary School Gym, 555 Fraser Ave., Lānaʻi City
• EAST MAUI: Hāna High School Cafeteria, 4111 Hāna Highway, Hāna
• CENTRAL MAUI: Maui High School Gym, 660 Lono Ave., Kahului
• MOLOKAʻI: Kaunakakai Gym, 180 Ala Malama Ave., Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi
• WEST MAUI: Lahaina Civic Center: 1840 Honoapiʻilani Highway, Lahaina
• SOUTH MAUI: South Maui Community Park Gym: 1501 Līloa Drive, Kīhei
ROADWAY ADVISORIES
The public is strongly advised AGAINST driving through pooling or moving water. MEMA and Maui Police Department
are urging residents and visitors to stay off roadways unless travel is essential during the severe weather event to
allow for emergency access and minimize safety concerns. Roadways remain hazardous due to debris, flooding and
limited turnaround space. Travel on Hāna Highway into East Maui is inaccessible due to multiple roadway blockages.
South Kīhei Road is closed north of Waipuilani, with all of North Kīhei Road also closed. Haleakalā National Park’s
summit and Kīpahulu districts are closed, according to the National Park Service. The public is urged not to attempt
travel into these areas until further notice. Treat any traffic light that is out or malfunctioning as a four-way stop.
ROAD CLOSURES
For updates on County of Maui road closures, visit https://www.mauicounty.gov/roadclosures or download the Genasys
Protect app at mauicounty.gov/MEMA.
WATER CONSERVATION ADVISORY
Due to inclement weather, Department of Water Supply advises all Maui County residents and visitors to conserve
water during this time due to safety concerns related to potential power and electronic system disruptions. Please
limit nonessential water use until conditions improve. Sign up for DWS News Flash notifications at
https://www.mauicounty.gov/list.aspx.
COUNTY CLOSURES
All County of Maui countywide offices, parks, facilities and services are closed today, 3/14, due to severe weather
impacts and to minimize roadway traffic. Only essential workers are reporting to duty.
STORM BACKGROUND
A large, prolonged Kona storm is bringing periods of heavy rain and flash flooding to Maui County and the rest of the
state. NWS issued a flood watch for Maui County from Wednesday morning through Sunday afternoon, 3/15. Several
flash flood warnings have been issued for Molokaʻi and Maui. A high wind warning for Maui County went into effect
Thursday evening, 3/12, through Sunday evening, 3/15. Watches mean hazardous conditions are possible. Advisories
mean hazardous conditions are occurring, imminent or likely. Warnings mean hazardous conditions are imminent or
already happening.
COUNTY RESPONSE
Mayor Richard Bissen signed an emergency proclamation on 3/10 that lets the County access State and Federal
assistance and streamlines procedures to quickly deploy resources, personnel and services if needed. County
Emergency Operations Center went into activation as of 6 a.m. Thursday, 3/12.
DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS
MEMA is working with local and state partners to continue assessing damage from the storm. Residents and
businesses impacted by the storm may submit damage reports to MEMA online
at https://crisistrack.juvare.com/public/mauiHI/request.html. Damage reports after a severe weather event help
assess impacts, prioritize response efforts and access recovery resources.
MORE INFORMATION
For the latest information, visit NWS at https://www.weather.gov/hfo/ and subscribe to MEMA alerts at
mauicounty.gov/MEMA.
County Department of Water Supply advises residents to conserve water during ongoing kona storm
The County of Maui Department of Water Supply (DWS) advises all residents and visitors to conserve water
during the prolonged kona storm due to safety concerns related to potential power and electronic system
disruptions. Non-essential water use should be limited until conditions improve.
Severe weather such as high winds, heavy rain and flooding damage water facilities and sources or disrupt
power to wells and pumping stations, which may lead to temporary water service interruptions. In some
cases, damage to infrastructure may require temporary water shutoffs while crews assess conditions and
make repairs. For safety reasons, certain repairs and maintenance activities may need to wait until weather
conditions improve.
To help maintain water availability for essential needs, residents and visitors are advised to:
• Use water only for essential needs, such as drinking, cooking and personal hygiene.
• Turn off irrigation systems, ice makers and other devices that automatically draw water.
• Avoid unnecessary water use whenever possible.
DWS may issue notifications regarding water service interruptions, conservation requests or water quality
advisories through its News Flash notifications. Sign up via County of Maui website
at https://www.mauicounty.gov/list.aspx. To subscribe, create a login, scroll down to News Flash, and
select notifications for the Department of Water Supply.
For general DWS information, visit www.mauicounty.gov/water.