Jason Momoa had to evacuate his Hawaii home after severe flooding swept across the state, with damage estimates reaching as high as $1 billion.
According to NBC, around 5,500 residents were placed under evacuation orders as the ‘Kona Low’ system brought torrential rain. The downpour hit ground that was already waterlogged following a winter storm the previous week, contributing to what officials described as the worst flooding in more than two decades.
Officials have also warned that a 120-year-old dam is at risk of failing, a scenario that could trigger further destruction.
Among those forced to leave was Aquaman actor Jason Momoa, who was born in Honolulu. After fans voiced concerns for his safety, Momoa posted an update to his Instagram Story for his nearly 17 million followers.
“I’ve got my family with me,” he said. “We got out of the North Shore. A lot of people have been asking.”
Momoa appeared shaken as he continued: “Our power went off. We’re safe for now but there’s a lot of people who aren’t, so sending all our love.”
He called conditions on the North Shore “pretty gnarly,” adding that he hoped residents were getting out when possible and staying out of harm’s way.
He ended his message with: “All my love. Stay safe out there.”
Hawaii Governor Josh Green said the financial toll could exceed $1 billion, citing impacts to airports, schools, roads, homes, and a hospital in Kula on Maui.
“This is going to have a very serious consequence for us as a state,” Green said at a news conference.
As of Saturday (March 21), much of the state remained under a flood watch. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for parts of northern Oahu, including Haleiwa and Waialua.
“Residents in the Waialua area are strongly urged to LEAVE NOW,” an emergency alert stated early yesterday morning.
“The remaining access road out of Waialua is at high risk of failure if rainfall continues.”
At the time of reporting, officials had not announced any fatalities. Green said, however, that 10 people were hospitalized with hypothermia.
Hawaiʻi — we are still in this.
A statewide flood watch remains in effect through Sunday, and today continues to bring the risk of major flash flooding, especially on Oʻahu and across Maui County. pic.twitter.com/Fn3wGJuYIi
— Governor Josh Green (@GovJoshGreenMD) March 21, 2026
Search-and-rescue teams worked by air and water to reach people who became trapped, though efforts were complicated by some individuals flying personal drones to capture footage, said Honolulu spokesperson Ian Scheuring.
In one operation, the National Guard and Honolulu Fire Department evacuated 72 children and adults from a spring break youth camp at Our Lady of Kea’au, a retreat on Oahu’s west coast, according to city and camp officials.
Although the site sits on higher ground, authorities decided it was safer not to leave the group there, Green said.