Flash flood warning dropped for Kauai, but school, roads still closed

UPDATE: 9:10 p.m.

A flash flood warning has been canceled for Kauai, but a flash flood watch remains in effect for all islands through Tuesday afternoon.

Kauai county reported multiple road closures tonight related to the weather. Kuhio Highway is closed near Hanalei Bridge due to flooding and near the 1-mile marker where state Department of Transportation crews are responding to a fallen tree and boulders on the highway, the county said.

The DOT is planning to resume debris removal operations Tuesday morning and set up a contraflow in the area, the county said.

Meanwhile, Hanalei Elementary will be closed Tuesday because of the bad weather, the state Department of Education said.

Bus service won’t be available for students of Kapaa Middle and High schools living in Hanalei, Wainiha and Haena. Satellite classes at the Hanalei Colony Resort will open Tuesday, and Hanalei Elementary will reopen Wednesday, the DOT said.

5:57 p.m.

A flash flood warning for Kauai has been extended to 8:45 p.m. as heavy rain continues to pound parts of the island.

The National Weather Service said radar showed heavy showers over the southern and central parts of Kauai with rates of about one inch an hour at about 5:30 p.m.

Rainfall eased over north Kauai and water levels were dropping in streams and rivers.

Kuhio Highway, however, remains closed at Hanalei Bridge.

5:24 p.m.

Forecasters say Hurricane Lane may have set a new record in Hawaii with 52.02 inches of rain in Mountain View from 8 a.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Sunday.

The measurement still needs to be verified, but if confirmed it means Hurricane Lane has broken the state’s record for total storm rainfall from a tropical cyclone. The previous record was 52.00 inches at Kanaloahuluhulu Ranger Station during Hurricane Hiki in 1950.

It would also mean Hurricane Lane set the nation’s second highest total storm rainfall from a tropical cyclone since 1950 with the record of 60.58 inches being set in Nederland, Texas during Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

In addition, an unverified private weather station reported 58.80 inches of rainfall during the same time span, the weather service said. They will try to confirm the report.

Meanwhile, a flash flood warning for the Big Island and a flash flood advisory for Maui have been canceled.

Flooding along Route 190 (Mamalahoa) in Waimea #HawaiiIsland at mile marker 7 today (8/27). pic.twitter.com/Vse1UFTU2B

— Hawaii DOT (@DOTHawaii) August 28, 2018

4:00 p.m.

Former Hurricane Lane is continuing to impact the state, leaving tropical moisture in its wake and creating the potential for heavy rain and flash flooding statewide, the National Weather Service said.

At about 3:30 p.m., the weather service issued a flash flood watch for all the main islands through Tuesday afternoon.

Any more rain in already saturated areas could lead to flash flooding.

“Heavy rainfall could result in low spots in roads becoming dangerous and impassible due to severe runoff. Debris in streams and gulches may clog bridges and culverts resulting in dangerous flooding,” the weather service said.

2:45 p.m.

As heavy rains continue to fall over central and west Kauai, the National Weather Service has extended a flash flood warning for the island to 5:45 p.m.

Makaweli River and Waimea River are running high because of the continuous rainfall.

While rainfall over north and east Kauai has diminished, impacts from the heavy rain continue.

Kuhio Highway is closed at Hanalei Bridge, Wainiha Bridge, and at Haena.

Ala eke Road in Wainiha is impassable and covered by four feet of water, the weather service said.

On the Big Island, heavy rain is falling over South Kohala and North Kona with rainfall at 2 to 3 inches per hour.

Old Saddle Road is closed between Waikii and the Daniel K. Inouye Highway junction due to heavy runoff, the weather service said.

2:17 p.m.

A flash flood warning for the Big Island has been extended to 5 p.m. as heavy rainfall continued to batter the island’s northwest side.

The National Weather Service said radar indicated heavy rain falling in the northwest at about 2 p.m. and a gauge at Waikii measured rainfall of 3 to 4 inches per hour.

Heavy rainfall also spread southward and is falling above Hawaii Belt Road, between Waimea and Kalaoa.

The weather service warned that dry gulches along the highway may overflow and flood the road, especially between mile markers 8 and 28.

1:30 p.m.

A flash flood warning has been issued for parts of the Big Island through 4:30 p.m.

“At 1:24 p.m., radar indicated a thunderstorm producing heavy rain near Waikii, or near Pohakuloa Camp,” the National Weather Service said. “The storm is nearly stationary. Rain was falling at a rate of 3 to 4 inches per hour. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly.”

The warning covers Pohakuloa Camp, Kamuela, Pohakuloa Training Area and Waipio Valley.

Kauai is also under a flash flood warning until 2:45 p.m. and Kuhio Highway near Hanalei Bridge has been closed until further notice.

As of 12:45 p.m., the highway between Waikoko and Wainiha was open, but officials said it could close with little notice if weather conditions change. .

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

A flash flood warning has been posted for Kauai after radar and rain gauges showed heavy rainfall over parts of the island.

The warning lasts until 2:45 p.m. but may be extended.

Additionally, the state Department of Education said that Hanalei Elementary has been closed due to the heavy rains, unpredictable river levels and road conditions. Students of Kapaa Middle and High schools, who live in Hanalei, Wainiha and Heana, were being released early and dropped off at their bus stops.

At 11:38 a.m., heavy rain was occurring over central and north Kauai. The Hanalei rain gauge reported a rate over 4 inches an hour, according to the National Weather Service. The Hanalei River is expected to rise significantly and may soon cover Kuhio Highway, forecasters said.

A flash flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring in streams, roads, and low-lying areas, and anyone in the affected areas prone to flooding should move to higher ground immediately.