{"id":661629,"date":"2026-03-17T08:24:18","date_gmt":"2026-03-17T08:24:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/661629\/"},"modified":"2026-03-17T08:24:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-17T08:24:18","slug":"kona-low-storm-on-big-island-leaves-behind-property-damage-cleanup-and-dead-goats-big-island-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/661629\/","title":{"rendered":"Kona low storm on Big Island leaves behind property damage, cleanup and dead goats : Big Island Now"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\"\"<\/a>Flooding at Randy Morris\u2019 home in Kealakekua on March 14, 2026. (Screenshot of video from Randy Morris)<\/p>\n

Randy Morris was watching TV in his Kealakekua home Saturday night when an emergency alert about a flash flood blared over his phone, followed by his son yelling from outside.<\/p>\n

\u201cA wall of water was just coming down the hill,\u201d recalled Morris, whose home is on the Hawai\u2018i Belt Road, or Route 11, on Pu\u2018u Pueo Road, just north of the Kona Community Hospital.<\/p>\n

As water rushed over a rock wall and into his property, with at least a foot of water pooling in the carport of his house, Morris evacuated his family of five and three dogs.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever in my life have I seen this kind of storm,\u201d said the 56-year-old Morris, who has seen impacts of past storms, including 1992 Hurricane Iniki. \u201cWe\u2019re not ready for this kind of rain.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Monday, Hawai\u2018i County Mayor Kimo Alameda said while the Kona low weather system has passed, the impacts are still present with downed trees and overly saturated ground, which can prompt landslides.<\/p>\n

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Alameda said the county responded to 25 to 30 calls to save people\u2019s lives when heavy rain bands hit Ka\u2018\u016b and South Kona.<\/p>\n

Hawai\u2018i County Assistant Fire Chief Darwin Okinaka said between the Ka\u2018\u016b and South Kona Districts, 18 to 20 people were rescued. There were no serious injuries reported.<\/p>\n

There was one instance near Keahole Point where a tree fell on a motorcyclist, according to reports from the National Weather Service on Saturday. Okinaka said that was more related to the wind.<\/p>\n

Hawai\u2018i County spokesperson Tom Callis said that the individual was transported to Honolulu for further medical treatment.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Flooding damage in Ka\u2018\u016b District from Kona low storm in March 2026. (Photo courtesy: Christine Inserra)<\/p>\n

Alameda said an islandwide damage assessment is underway. As of Monday morning, the county received 20 residential damage reports and five commercial damage reports. Click here<\/a> to report damage.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe west side had taken some cracks,\u201d Alameda said Monday. \u201cYou\u2019re talking 15 inches plus rain in some areas.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thomas Vaughan, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu, said the most significant rain occurred on Saturday, with widespread flooding reported throughout the state.<\/p>\n

Preliminary five-day precipitation reports as of March 15 indicate:<\/p>\n