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Heavy rain, thunderstorms lead to warnings, advisories throughout isles

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COURTESY NOAA

UPDATE 6:30 p.m.

Flash flood warnings for Oahu and parts of the Big Island expired this evening.

The warning for Hawaii Island was canceled by 6:30 p.m., two hours earlier than expected. A flood advisory for parts of the island remained in place until 9:45 p.m.

“At 6:42 p.m., radar indicated spotty heavy rain continues across the Puna and Hilo districts,” National Weather Service forecasters said. The advisory covers Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Mountain View, Keaau, Pahoa, Volcano, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Glenwood, Hawaiian Acres, Leilani Estates and Ainaloa.

Hawaii County Civil Defense said that Hawaiian Electric Light Co. has reported several power outages, which have caused some traffic signals in Hilo to malfunction. There were also reports of some road closures due to flooding on the island.

A flash flood watch for the entire state remains until late tonight.

Previous coverage

A flash flood warning has been issued for Hawaii island until 8:30 p.m. today.

“At 5:30 p.m., doppler radar indicated very heavy rain over the Puna District between Keaau and Hawaiian Beaches. Rain rates were from 3 to 4 inches per hour and may cause flooding in poor drainage areas especially along the highway from Keaau to Pahoa. The area of heavy rain was moving slowly toward the east.”

Locations in the warning include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Mountain View, Keaau, Pahoa, Glenwood, Orchidlands Estates, Hawaiian Acres, Volcano, Leilani Estates, Ainaloa and Kurtistown.

A severe thunderstorm warning also remains in effect for the island until 6 p.m.

“At 5:47 p.m., doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing half dollar size hail and damaging winds in excess of 60mph. This storm was located over Hawaiian Paradise Park, moving east at 5 mph.”

Locations impacted include Hawaiian Paradise Park, Orchidlands Estates, Keaau, Hawaiian Beaches and Ainaloa.

UPDATE 3:28 p.m.

A flash flood warning has also been issued for parts of Oahu until 6:15 p.m. today.

“At 3:10 p.m., doppler radar indicated very heavy rainfall over the Koolau slopes above Mililani Mauka. Peak rain rates of 3 to 4 inches per hour have been falling into streams feeding Kipapa Gulch and Waiawa Stream. Waikele Stream in Waipahu is also expected to see a significant rise in water levels. Rainfall is also spreading over the windward slopes from Waiahole to Punaluu.”

Locations in the warning include Schofield Barracks, Waikane, Laie, Waipahu, Mililani, Waialua, Wahiawa, Aiea, Kunia, Pearl City, Waikele and Hauula.

In addition, a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of Hawaii island has been issued until 4 p.m. “At 3:09 p.m., doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing half-dollar-size hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. This storm was located 14 miles north of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and moving east at 5 mph,” the National Weather Service warning said.

Locations in the warnings include the slopes above Mountain View, Volcano and Glenwood.

Parts of Maui, meanwhile, are under a flood advisory until 5:15 p.m. as heavy rain hits Upcountry Maui from upper Kula to Ulupalakua. More rain is expected over the slopes of Haleakala through the afternoon. The advisory covers Kihei, Pukalani, Haliimaile, Pauwela, Ulupalakua, Wailea, Huelo, Haiku-Pauwela, Paia, Makawao, Kula and Keokea.

The entire state also remains under a flash flood watch until late tonight.

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