Key facts
- Alert
- Flash Flood Warning (severe)
- Issued by
- National Weather Service, Honolulu HI
- Areas
- Kauai, HI
- Places
- The entire island of Kauai
- In effect
- until 5:45 PM HST, Oct 31, 2026
- Detection
- Radar and gauge indicated
What the National Weather Service says
“Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads.”
NWS Honolulu HI, Flash Flood Warning, 2:19 PM HST Oct 31, 2026 · official alert
“Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.”
NWS Honolulu HI, Flash Flood Warning, 2:19 PM HST Oct 31, 2026 · official alert
“Law enforcement has closed Kuhio Highway near the Hanalei Bridge.”
NWS Honolulu HI, Flash Flood Warning, 2:19 PM HST Oct 31, 2026 · official alert
What to do
Do not drive into flooded roads. Turn around and find another route. The National Weather Service says most flood deaths occur in vehicles, and just 6 inches of moving water can knock you down.
Move to higher ground if you are near a stream, river or creek. These can rise quickly in heavy rain. Campers and hikers should stay away from streams and creeks.
Avoid the Hanalei Bridge area on Kuhio Highway, which law enforcement has closed, and the mouth of the Wailua River, where flash flooding is ongoing or expected soon. Never drive around barricades.
Context
FEMA flood-insurance records show 1,498 claims in Kauai County from 1978 to 2026, as of September 9, 2026. These count only insured properties, so they do not capture all flood damage.
FEMA has made several disaster declarations for Kauai County, including Hurricane Lowell on October 7, 2026, and severe storms, flooding and landslides on June 17, 2024.
Updates
- The National Weather Service extended the flash flood warning until 5:45 PM HST.
- NWS Honolulu HI issued the flash flood warning until 2:45 PM HST.
History here
Kauai County: 1498 flood insurance claims in FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program records since 1978, most recent 2026.
Kauai County: recent federal disaster declarations
- DR-4952 (2026): hurricane lowell
- DR-4793 (2024): severe storms, flooding, and landslides
- DR-4549 (2020): severe storms and flooding
- DR-4395 (2018): hurricane lane
- DR-4365 (2018): severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides
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Questions
- Is there a flash flood warning in Kauai, Hawaii?
- Yes. The National Weather Service Honolulu office has a Flash Flood Warning for the entire island of Kauai until 2:45 PM HST on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
- How much rain is falling on Kauai?
- Doppler radar and automated rain gauges showed rain falling at 1 to 3 inches per hour over the eastern slopes, with more showers moving into the leeward side. Rapid rises were seen on the Hanalei River and the South Fork of the Wailua River.
- Are any roads closed on Kauai because of the flooding?
- Law enforcement has closed Kuhio Highway near the Hanalei Bridge. The National Weather Service also says flooding could affect highways, streets and underpasses across the island.
Sources
- NWS Honolulu HI: Flash Flood Warning, Oct 31, 2026 weather.gov
- FEMA OpenFEMA: NFIP claims and disaster declarations fema.gov
How this page is made. The Herebeat Hazard Desk builds event pages from official U.S. government data (National Weather Service, USGS, FEMA). The text is written with AI from that data; every number and quote is checked against the official source automatically before publishing, and the page is updated when the agency updates the event. The official source is always the reference. Spotted a mistake? info@herebeat.app. About the Hazard Desk.