Hawaii waterfall’s dramatic boom captured in wild before and after footage following hurricane

A social media post has sparked significant attention.

Hurricane Lala has caused extensive destruction across Hawaii, impacting Honolulu and Maui counties, and leaving thousands without electricity.

An AccuWeather post on X dramatically highlighted the impact of Hurricane Lala on Rainbow Falls in Hawaii, featuring before-and-after images of the waterfall. The post displayed a split-screen image, with the top showing the picturesque waterfall prior to the storm.

The lower part of the video captured a deluge, astonishing X users with the sight of water pouring from Rainbow Falls, which is usually a tranquil 80-foot tall waterfall. The post noted, “Rainbow Falls in Hilo, Hawaii, is roaring as Hurricane Lala brought torrential rain this weekend.” Many commented, sharing that some tourists had visited shortly before the heavy rainfall began.

“Holy crap! We visited Rainbow Falls last Sept. In fact Hurricane Kiko was expected to hit Honolulu [the] day we were scheduled to fly home. Luckily it turned north at the last minute,” one user wrote. The poster added a picture from their visit revealing a much calmer cascade.

The hurricane, which has now been downgraded to a tropical storm, began on August 12 and has devastated Hawaii, leaving tens of thousands without power and damaging more than 100 homes.

More than 113,000 customers remain without power, according to Poweroutage.com. Kimo Alameda, Mayor of Hawaii County, stated that restoration could take days due to downed transmission lines. At least one fatality was reported in a storm-related car accident.

According to the state, Lala is currently positioned about 315 miles west-southwest of Līʻhue, with maximum sustained winds of 60 miles per hour, moving west at 12 miles per hour. 

All tropical storm warnings and flood watches for Hawaii have been lifted, but statewide Brown Water Advisories remain in place due to storm runoff. The state warns residents to avoid murky water, which can contain pollutants like animal waste, chemicals, pesticides, and sewage overflow.

Though Lala has moved on, it left behind dangerous conditions with downed power lines and extensive flooding.

The government website advises, “People should use extreme caution in damaged areas as numerous safety hazards exist including dangerous debris, contamination risks and electrical hazards. HIEMA recommends you sign up for emergency alerts in your area at: ready.hawaii.gov/alerts.”

Hawaii Governor Josh Green declared that all state and county government offices and public schools would remain closed today. 

According to a press release, city crews will continue efforts through Sunday night and Monday, focusing on assessing storm damage, removing debris, addressing flooding and drainage issues, reopening roads and facilities, and tackling other storm-related hazards.

The statement indicated that normal government operations are expected to resume on Tuesday, August 18.

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