Heavy rain eased up on Maui and Hawaii island Wednesday night, but a flash-flood watch remained in effect for both islands, a National Weather Service forecaster said.

The flash-flood watch included Kahoolawe, Lanai and Molokai and was set to expire at 6 a.m. today. It could be extended, the forecaster said.

Earlier Wednesday evening, downpours prompted forecasters to issue flash-flood warnings for Maui and Hawaii island.

“At 5:30 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over several areas of the Big Island, including the Hilo district, with the Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency reporting localized flooding leading to road closures in Hilo,” the warning said. “Additional heavy rain is impacting the south Kona and Kau districts with rainfall rates near 2 inches per hour expected to lead to flash flooding. If heavy rain continues, the highway near Kawa Flats in the Kau District may flood later.”

The warning covered Hilo, Hakalau, Wainaku, Honomu, Naalehu, Pahala, Wood Valley, Pepeekeo and Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.

On Maui, the island was drenched for most of the day.

At about 3:40 p.m., radar indicated widespread heavy rain increasing in coverage over Maui, the weather service said. Rain was falling at more than 2 inches per hour in areas with the heaviest showers.

Flash flooding already was occurring and police closed numerous roads because of flooding and landslides.

Earlier Wednesday, Maui officials said the county’s Emergency Operations Center was on a level 3 activation, meaning all Maui Emergency Management Agency personnel were monitoring the weather situation.

A winter storm warning was also in effect for Big Island summits above 12,000 feet until 6 a.m. today. Additional snow accumulations of 6 to 10 inches were expected.

Meanwhile, a high-surf advisory was in effect for north- and east-facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and the Big Island, and the north shore of Niihau, through 6 p.m. today.

Surf was expected to reach 15 to 20 feet along north shores of Maui, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai and Niihau. Eastern shores were expected to see surf of 4 to 8 feet. Forecasters warned of strong breaking waves and powerful currents that could make swimming dangerous.