Harmful weather to stick around

The unstable weather conditions responsible for the high winds and heavy localized showers over the past two days are expected to continue through today, according to the National Weather Service.

A flash flood watch remains in effect for Maui and Hawaii island through this afternoon. Forecasters predict the locally heavy showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms will increase the risk of flooding.

A winter storm warning is also in effect for Hawaii island summits through 6 p.m. today. The weather service warns that snowfall of 6 to 12 inches is possible and that temperatures could drop to the mid-20s.

Forecasters say moist air blown in by strong tradewinds is mixing with a weather system in the upper atmosphere to create unstable weather and the potential for heavy showers.

Oahu was under a flash flood warning for about two hours Friday as rain fell on Wai­kane Stream up to 2 inches per hour. About 3.8 inches fell in the northern Koo­laus over a 24-hour period from Thursday to Friday morning; the H-3 tunnel rain gauge recorded 3.1 inches in the same period.

The weather service also issued a flood advisory for Hawaii island Friday after radar showed heavy rain falling east of Milo­lii, in an area about 33 miles south of Kailua-Kona. Over a 24-hour period ending Friday afternoon, Hilo Airport recorded 8.1 inches of rain. Heavy rainfall was also recorded in Wai­akea Uka (6.8 inches) and Mountain View (6.2 inches).

On Thursday, Maui firefighters spent much of the afternoon and evening dealing with a host of flood-related emergency calls that began at about 2:30 p.m.

In one instance, firefighters from Maka­wao and Paia were called to Kalua­nui Road, where an unoccupied cottage was washed away. The Maka­wao crew could not reach the scene due to water and debris coming over the Maliko Bridge. The crew from Paia found the cottage completely washed away but remained at the scene to help a rescue crew evacuate two residents from a Kalua­nui residence that was threatened by water. It also helped evacuate eight homes in Maliko Gulch.

Other flood-related calls included a flooded residence in Maka­wao Ranch Acres, a blocked drainage gate on Iolani Street, four stranded vehicles at Keala­loa Avenue and Hanamu Road, another flooded home on Kau­pea Street and three other stranded vehicles on Hana Highway near Maliko Gulch.

No injuries were reported in any of the cases.

On Friday, fire rescue personnel from Kaunakakai and Pukoo assisted a female hiker from Calgary, Alberta, after she slipped and suffered a broken ankle while hiking with family along the Halawa Valley Trail. The woman, 59, was carried off the trail and taken by ambulance to Molokai General Hospital in stable condition.

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Star-Advertiser reporter Rosemarie Bernardo contributed to this report.