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MARK WINEMAN / SPECIAL TO THE STAR-ADVERTISER
Flooding in Hilo has closed Aupuni Street and Kamehameha Hwy. on Thursday afternoon.
Update 3:22 p.m.
A flash flood watch is issued through Friday for Maui, the Big Island and Kauai, as heavy rain persists.
The National Weather Service reports deep moisture will continue to stream into Maui and the Big Island from the east, focusing persistent rainfall along windward slopes.
The grounds in these areas are already saturated from heavy rainful over the past couple of days.
Update 3 p.m.
A flash flood warning issued for the Big Island has been extended until 5:45 p.m.
Radar at 2:27 p.m. showed continued rainfall over the windward slopes of the Big Island but at a reduced rate compared to a few hours earlier. The rainfall could continue through the rest of the afternoon, weather officials said.
The Hawaii County Civil Defense reported ongoing flooding especially in Hilo’s bayfront area and the Hawaiian Acres in Puna.
Locations of the warning include Hilo, Paauilo, Waipio Valley, Orchidland Estates, Pepeekeo, Keaau, Kamuela, Honokaa, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pahoa, Hawaiian Acres, Mountain View and Glenwood.
Previous coverage
Heavy rain over parts of Hawaii island prompted weather officials to post a flash flood today.
Radar at 11:48 a.m. showed heavy rain falling over the windward slopes of Hawaii island.
Locations in the warning include, but are not limited to, Hilo, Paauilo, Waipio Valley, Orchidland Estates, Pepeekeo, Keaau, Kamuela, Honokaa, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pahoa, Hawaiian Acres, Mountain View and Glenwood.
The warning is in effect through 2:45 p.m.
A flash flood watch for Maui and Hawaii island remains in effect through this afternoon due to persistent rainfall along the windward slopes over the past few days, according to the National Weather Service.
A flash flood watch means conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. The flash flood warning issued for Kauai early this morning, meanwhile, expired at 7:45 a.m., but Kuhio Highway near the Hanalei Bridge remains closed for a few more hours. A brown water advisory has been issued for Hanalei Bay.
Due to a north-northwest swell, a high surf advisory remains in effect for the north facing shores, with surf between 18 to 22 feet for the smaller isles, including Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai until 6 a.m. tomorrow. West-facing shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai should see surf of 8 to 12 feet, while rough seas generated by strong trades bring a high surf advisory of between 5 to 8 feet to the east-facing shores of isles from Kauai to Hawaii island.
A small craft advisory is also in effect until 6 p.m. tomorrow.
Snow is expected to reach between 2 to 4 inches on Big Island summits above 12,500 feet this afternoon, causing travel difficulties and limited visibility. The snow may mix with or alternate with rain at times.
Due to an upper-level trough through Saturday, wet trade wind weather is expected to continue into the weekend, with conditions forecast to improve Sunday.
On Hawaii island, the public works department reported several road closures in Hilo due to flooding at the following locations:
>> Kamehameha Avenue between Pauahi and Ponahawai streets
>> Pauahi Street between Aupuni Street and Kamehameha Avenue
>> East Kawailani Street between Hoonani and Ahuna streets
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