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Flood advisory for Big Island, rain possible elsewhere

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COURTESY PHOTO
A reader sent in this photo of a flooded parking lot in Palolo.
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COURTESY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
This radar image taken at about 3:30 p.m. shows heavy rain over Kona and scattered showers on other islands.
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DEREK KALANI / @STARADVERTISER.COM

The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for Hawaii island as a weather system that brought rain to western islands moved southeast.

At 3:06 p.m., radar showed heavy showers and thunderstorms falling on the Kona slopes of the Big Island from Puuanahulu south to Honaunau. Rainfall rates of 2 inches per hour were observed in Kailua-Kona.

The advisory is in effect until 5:15 p.m.

Earlier this morning, forecasters dropped a flood watch for Maui County and a flood advisory for Oahu after persistent heavy rains moved past the islands.

But forecasters say there’s still a chance of brief heavy showers throughout the state.

“The widespread rain from overnight has diminished, and current radar imagery shows more separated showers,” the weather service said in a forecast advisory. “Brief heavy showers are still possible, but persistent/anchored rain is not expected.”

On Maui, firefighters responded to several calls of flooding in Central Maui homes between midnight  and 3:10 a.m., a spokesman said.

The weather service said there were reports flash flooding west of Kahului at about 1 a.m., after about 2 inches of rain fell in an hour.

On Oahu, flooding was reported Saturday and early today in Niu Valley, Waimanalo, Kahului, Kailua, Pearl City, Hanalei and Waikane.

Brown water advisories were issued for Oahu and Kauai (from Nawiliwili to Na Pali) due to storm runoff.

On Oahu Saturday, heavy rains flooded roads, knocked out power and kept Civil Defense personnel and first responders hopping for most of the day.

Just after 9 p.m., police closed Kamehameha Highway in Laie between Kokololio Beach Park and Pounders Beach Park because of downed utility poles.

According to the weather service, the rain was caused by a cold upper-level trough and moist airmass over the state.

Kauai and Oahu spent much of Saturday afternoon and early evening under a flash flood warning.

The weather service recorded rain rates of as much as 2 inches an hour in Windward Oahu and the Koolau mountains. Waiahole Stream rose more than 11 feet during the peak of the downpour in mid-afternoon.

The city Department of Emergency Management reported flood water as deep as 1.5 feet on Kamehameha Highway and Waihee Road.

On Kauai, rising waters prompted the closing of Kuhio Highway in Hanalei. Hanalei Bridge was also closed due to water crossing the roadway. A flooded culvert was also reported on Puuwai Road in Kalaheo.

On Maui, a power outage prompted the closure of Maui Community College.

The bad weather also kept firefighters and lifeguards busy throughout the afternoon.

Around 4 p.m., firefighters were called to assist a group of 12 children who were caught in a fast-moving Kalihi stream. Nine were able to make it out on their own. HFD personnel assisted the other three.

Fire crews also responded to three people pinned in cars throughout the day,

Ocean Safety personnel responded to numerous weather-related situations,  including rescuing a kayaker who ran into trouble near the Mokulua islands.

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