Search continues after 71-year-old woman swept into Iao Stream on Maui, Hawaii
A 71-year-old woman was reported missing after being swept into the Iao Stream on Maui, Hawaii, at about 11:40 LT on March 21, 2026, while heavy rainfall kept the stream in rapid flow. Witnesses said she became fully submerged and was not seen again. Search operations continued on March 22 using ground, air, and ocean assets.
Search and rescue operations are being conducted in Maui, Hawaii, on March 22, 2026. Credit: Honolulu Fire Department
A 71-year-old woman was reported missing after falling into the Iao Stream in Maui on March 21. According to local officials, she was attempting to gather water using a basket at around 11:40 LT when she fell into the stream amid heavy rainfall and rapid flow.
According to a witness, the woman became fully submerged and has not been seen since.
Crews from the Maui Police Department and Maui Fire Department continued search operations on March 22. Officials said air and ocean searches included a helicopter and jet skis, while MPD’s police helicopter assisted with 10 rescue personnel onboard.
Anyone with information regarding the incident is asked to contact the Maui Police Department’s non-emergency line at (808) 244-6400 and refer to report number 26-007835.
Maui Emergency Management Agency upgraded advisories to evacuation warnings at 16:49 LT on March 21 for parts of ʻĪao Valley and along the Wailuku River due to flood risk. County officials said warnings and advisories are not mandatory evacuation orders.
MEMA, Maui County Parks and Recreation, and the American Red Cross reopened a Central Maui shelter at Baldwin High School gym in Wailuku at 19:00 LT on March 21 due to road closures and evacuation warnings associated with a second Kona low.
Additional shelters were opened at South Maui Community Park Gym, Hāna High School Cafeteria, and Lahaina Civic Center.
Back-to-back Kona lows have caused significant damage across Hawaii, with the governor estimating losses exceeding USD 1 billion.
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I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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