Big Isle under flood advisory

A flood advisory is in effect for the Big Island until 9:45 tonight.

At 6:50 p.m., moderate to heavy showers continue to develop and lift northward over the Big Island. Rainfall rates up to an inch per hour with localized higher amounts up to 2 to 3 inches per hour will continue through the evening hours.

The heaviest showers are occurring over the Puna and Kau districts with some heavy showers beginning to spread northward into Hilo.

Previous coverage

Hawaii island is under a flood advisory while Maui County and Hawaii island remain under a flash flood watch through this afternoon, and Oahu remains under a brown water advisory after heavy rains drenched the islands.

Radar at 10:33 a.m. showed steady moderate rainfall along the south- and southeast-facing slopes of Kau and Puna on Hawaii island, according to the National Weather Service. Isolated heavy showers were falling at more than 2 inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Volcano, Kalapana, Naalehu, Pahala, Wood Valley, Kawa Flats, and Punaluu Beach.

The advisory for Hawaii island is in effect through 1:30 p.m.

A flood advisory for Oahu expired Wednesday afternoon as the showers that had soaked the island moved east. Still, the heavy rains led city officials to issue a brown water advisory for the entire island.

”Heavy rain has resulted in storm-water runoff entering into coastal waters. The public is advised to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris,” the city advisory said.

Unsettled weather is expected to prevail over most of the state in the next few days as an area of low pressure moves closer. A drying trend is expected for Kauai and Oahu today and Friday, just in time for the weekend.

Vog levels remain in check, with air quality rated as good today, according to airnow.gov, using data from the state Department of Health.

The flash flood watch for Maui County and Hawaii island is in effect until this afternoon.

“A band of moderate to heavy showers over Maui will remain in place through the morning hours, then slowly shift east over the Big Island later today,” forecasters said this morning.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu also issued a wind advisory for the Hawaii island summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa above 12,000 feet through 6 p.m. today. Southwest winds up to 50 mph with localized gusts over 55 mph, are expected, forecasters said.

“Winds this strong can walking difficult and can forcefully slam open doors,” the advisory said. “The winds may make steering difficult, especially for drivers of high profile vehicles.”

Forecasters said the public should consider postponing travel to the summits until conditions improve.