Flood Hazards Gallery
In November 2000, the Big Island was hit with an enormous amount of rainfall, resulting in flooding in Hilo, Puna, and Kau. 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 Kapapala Ranch near the town of Pahala. Out of this total, an incredible 22.25 inches fell in just 6 hours.
Video Gallery
Videos are COMING SOON! We are rebuilding them in larger-resolution format.
Video #1: Year 2000 Mega Flood on the Big Island
Video #2: Flood Do's and Don'ts
Video #3: 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 Hawaii from hurricane storm surge and from tsunamis.
Video #4: Year 2003 Storm Waves in Hilo Area
Flooding in Hilo's Aleanaio Channel below Komohana.
Flooding in Hilo near Kawailani Street.
Flooding in Pahala.
Flooding in Hilo near the soccer fields on bayfront.
This is why it's a bad idea to drive through flooded streets.
Flood Photos
The Wailuku River carried so much water that the rocks at the top of the falls were barely visible.
The Waiakea Stream overflowed, saturating the grounds of the UHH dorms.
On Komohana Street, the culvert and overlying road were washed away.
The Komohana culvert washed up in someone's backyard.
The bridge along Highway 11 near Pahala Hospital was heavily damaged.
Boulders attest to the strength of the flood.