Flooding creates problems on roads and in homes
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Rick Suzuki, of the city's Environmental Services Department, posts warning signs at Palolo Stream after a spill that sent 4,000 gallons of sewage into Palolo Stream from a broken pipe on 9th Ave. The state Department of Health says the rains caused multiple sewer overflows on Oahu.
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Rain and heavy clouds obscure the highrises of Waikiki in this picture from St. Louis Heights.
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Heavy rain caused Palolo Stream to swell and turn brown with runoff this afternoon. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Oahu. The state Health Department has also issued a brown water advisory, warning people to stay out of waters contaminated by runoff.
Heavy rains pounding Oahu have closed highways and roads, flooded homes and canceled weekend events.
Kalanianaloe Highway was shut down in both directions near the Makapuu Lighthouse this afternoon because of flooding and loose construction equipment. Traffic was being turned around in Hawaii Kai and Waimanalo.
The highway reopened around 7:15 p.m.
The Red Cross said it responded to help families affected by flooded homes at three locations on Oahu. The Honolulu Fire Department said they responded to 46 calls for help with water evacuations on Oahu.
Other weather-related incidents included an accident on the Waianae-bound H-1 Freeway near the Likelike Highway off-ramp and an over-turned vehicle near the Radford overpass at about 1:15 p.m.
Emergency officials warned drivers to avoid non-essential travel and be aware of road closures.
The city’s Department of Emergency Management urged people to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.
Drivers who had to be out on Oahu roads today were cautioned to be aware of poor visibility and “poor braking action” while driving in heavy rains.
“Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle or on foot,” Emergency Management officials said.
Police closed one lane this morning in each direction of Farrington Highway, the only road into and out of the Leeward Coast.
With one lane open in either direction, police said vehicles were driving in the opposite lanes to avoid the traffic congestion at Ko Olina. The mud slide and flooding forced the closure of the H-1 Freeway’s Ko Olina off-ramp.
Police also closed both lanes of the west-bound H-1 Freeway leading to the Vineyard off ramp because of ponding water.
The Health Department issued a brown water advisory for Oahu and Kauai, urging people to avoid waters possibly contaminated with runoff.
Adding to the problem — a sewage pipe broke near 2010 9th Ave. in Palolo, spilling 4,000 gallons of wastewater into Palolo Stream and 85,000 gallons spill ed into the Hawaii Kai Marina because of a power failue at a pumping station. The state Department of Health says sewage manholes also overflowed in Kaneohe, Kailua and into Honolulu Harbor.
A fire at Hawaiian Electric Co.’s Makaloa sub-station caused by flooding closed Makaloa Street near Don Quijote.
A 12-inch, water main break also forced the closure of McCully Street between Lime Street and Kapiolani Boulevard just before 7:30 a.m. today.
No customers are without water, the Board of Water Supply said.
A large tree also fell across the access road leading to the Pali Lookout. But police said the Pali Highway remains open.
A vehicle that stalled at the Middle Street off-ramp of the H-1 Freeway temporarily forced the closure of the off-ramp, police said.
