Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Thursday, December 12, 2024 78° Today's Paper


Top News

Flash flood watch, advisory canceled as heavy rains fade

1/3
Swipe or click to see more

NOAA

A series of radar images through 9:55 a.m. Tuesday shows areas of moisture moving over Oahu.

2/3
Swipe or click to see more

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

A car drove through a flooded section of Queen Street in Kakaako Tuesday morning.

3/3
Swipe or click to see more

CRAIG T. KOJIMA / CKOJIMA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Vehicles navigate flooded streets in Kakaako today.

UPDATE: Wednesday, 4:30 a.m.

The flash flood watch and flood advisory were canceled overnight.

8:10 p.m.

The flood advisory for Molokai has been extended until 11:15 p.m.

Weather officials report widespread rain falling over the island at a rate of three-quarters of an inch per hour.

7:40 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Maui until 9:45 p.m.

“At 6:44 p.m., radar indicated widespread rainfall continued over west Maui,” forecasters said. “Meanwhile, heavy rain was over east Maui near Hana area, with rain rate near one and a quarter inches per hour.”

The advisory covers Kahului, Honokohau, Nahiku, Hana, Makawao and Lahaina.

A flood advisory has also been issued for the Big Island until 10:30 p.m.

“At 7:30 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain near Kona International Airport. Rain was falling at a rate near an inch per hour,” forecasters said.

The advisory covers Kona Village Resort and Puuanahulu.

5:20 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued another flood advisory for Molokai until 8:15 p.m.

“At 5:10 p.m., radar indicated moderate to heavy rain spreading over Molokai from the southwest,” forecasters said. “Rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches van hour are possible as this rain spreads across the island.”

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

4:25 p.m.

The National Weather Service has dropped a flood advisory for Molokai but issued another one for much of Maui until 7:15 p.m.

“At 4:10 p.m., radar indicated moderate to heavy rainfall over Upcountry and west Mau,” forecasters said. “The highest rates were about 1 to 2 inches per hour over the Kula Highway from Makawao to Keokea. Additional rainfall is expected to move over west and central Maui from the southwest over the next hour.”

The Maui advisory covers Kahului, Honokohau, Kahakuloa, Haliimaile, Lahaina, Paia, Wailuku, Wailea, Waihee and Kaanapali.

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

3:45 p.m.

The flood advisory for Oahu has been lifted, but remains for Molokai until 4:45 p.m., the National Weather Service said. The entire state remains under a flash flood watch as a rainy storm system moves east.

3:15 p.m.

A brown water advisory has been issued for Oahu. Heavy rain has caused stormwater runoff entering into coastal waters. The public is advised to stay out of flood waters and runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals and flood debris.

2:20 p.m.

The eastern half of Molokai has been placed under a flood advisory this afternoon as the storm as the storm system that has dumped heavy rain on Kauai and Oahu continues to move east.

Just before 2 p.m., the National Weather Service said Molokai was under a flood advisory until 4:45 p.m. Parts of Oahu were placed under an advisory earlier this afternoon.

“At 1:49 p.m., radar indicated moderate to heavy rain over central and east Molokai,” forecasters said. “Rain rates were around 1 to 2 inches per hour. The area of rain is moving slowly eastward and should continue to affect Molokai drainages and Highway 450 over the next several hours.”

The Molokai advisory covers Hoolehua, Kualapuu, Kalaupapa National Park, Ualapue, Halawa Valley, Kaunakakai, Pukoo, Kamalo and Kawela.

The storm system moving over the islands had dumped more than 5 inches of rain over parts of Kauai, including Poipu, over the past 24 hours. On Oahu, for the 24-hour period ending at 1 p.m., Waiawa received more than 5 inches of rain, while the Honolulu airport area saw about 3 inches, according to the weather service.

The rain has caused landslides and minor road flooding throughout Oahu and Kauai.

1:40 p.m.

The Honolulu Zoo closed at 1:30 p.m. today due to “persistent rain that is causing ponding on the walkways,” according to a release from the City and County of Honolulu.

According to the city, zoo officials will monitor the weather and make a decision early tomorrow morning whether or not to reopen at the zoo’s regular 9 a.m. opening time.

The zoo is normally open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily.

1:15 p.m.

A flash flood warning for Oahu has expired and replaced with a flood advisory until 4 p.m. today.

“At 12:55 p.m., radar showed a band of moderate to heavy rainfall over East Oahu,” according to the National Weather Service advisory. “The band was moving very slowly eastward with rain rates of about 1 to 2 inches per hour. The slow movement of the band is expected to keep rainfall over east Oahu for the next several hours.”

The advisory includes Honolulu, Waimanalo, Kaneohe Marine Base, Hawaii Kai, Palolo, Kahaluu, Kaaawa, Ahuimanu, Salt Lake, Kailua, Manoa and Maunawili.

10:10 a.m.

The flash flood warning for Oahu has been extended through 1:15 p.m. today.

At 9:56 a.m. radar showed a band of heavy rainfall covering the island from Kaneohe to Ewa, according to the National Weather Service. The band was moving slowly eastward and is expected to move into east Oahu over the next couple of hours. Rainfall rates were 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Gauges on Waikane Stream and Waiahole Stream showed water levels rising again. In West Oahu, rainfall has ended but runoff levels remain elevated.

Authorities have reported that flooding on Upena Street in Makaha has sent water into some homes, according to the National Weather Service.

9:25 a.m.

At 9:04 a.m., radar and rain gages showed heavy rainfall moving slowly eastward across Oahu, according to the National Weather Service. The heaviest rainfall was along a band from Hauula to Ewa. Rain rates within the band were 1 to 2 inches per hour.

The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management reported that Upena Street in Makaha was flooded with water affecting homes. Social media images also showed water over Kamehameha Highway near the Waikane Stream Bridge.

The flash flood warning remains in effect for Oahu through 10:15 a.m.

7:25 a.m.

The flash flood warning for Kauai County has been canceled, but a new flash flood warning for Oahu has been posted.

At 7:17 a.m., radar showed heavy rainfall continuing over the windward slopes of the Koolau Range from Kaneohe to Punaluu, according to the National Weather Service. A gauge on Waikane Stream showed a sudden increase in water levels that indicates water may start to cross Kamehameha Highway.

Another area of heavy rain has also reached the Waianae Coast from the west. This area is expected to spread slowly eastward across Oahu over the next several hours.

The flash flood warning covers the entire island of Oahu and is scheduled to remain in effect through 10:15 a.m.

4:55 a.m.

Flash flood warnings are in effect for Oahu and Kauai until 7:45 a.m. and 7:15 a.m., respectively.

Radar this morning showed areas of heavy rain over portions of both islands, according to the National Weather Service. Rain rates up to 2 to 4 inches per hour were observed this morning on both islands, with additional heavy rainfall expected over the next couple of hours.

On Oahu, locations in the warning include, but are not limited to, Honolulu, Ahuimanu, Punaluu, Hauula, Waimanalo, Kailua, Manoa, Maunawili, Kaneohe, Kalihi and Waikane. On Kauai,

locations in the warning include, but are not limited to, Lihue, Kilauea, Anahola, Mana, Hanalei, Na Pali State Park, Omao, Barking Sands, Wainiha, North Fork Wailua Trails, Moloaa and Waimea.

A flash flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring in streams, roads, and low-lying areas. Move to higher ground now.

8:30 p.m.

Hawaii County Civil Defense said one lane on Highway 11 between mile markers 54 and 57 is now open.

7:35 p.m.

Flooding has closed Highway 11 in both directions near the south shore of Hawaii island, Hawaii County Civil Defense said.

Water is on the road between mile markers 54 and 57 in Punaluu. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes until further notice.

“The rainy conditions causing the flooding are expected to continue through the evening,” Civil Defense said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

The flash flood watch this evening has been extended statewide, beginning at 6 p.m. today through late Tuesday night.

The National Weather Service said heavy rainfall is expected this evening due to deep, tropical moisture along with a strong upper-level trough, resulting in the possibility of flash flooding. The flash flood watch has expanded from Niihau, Kauai and Oahu to Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, and the Big Island.

The greatest threat for thunderstorms, flooding and severe weather in the form of damaging winds will be over the western islands tonight and tomorrow morning, weather officials said. Heavy rainfall with the chance for flooding will also be possible over the remaining the islands, starting late tonight to Tuesday, with the possibility of large waterspouts.

Heavy rainfall could result in low spots in roads becoming impassable due to severe runoff, while debris in streams and gulches could clog bridges and culverts, resulting in dangerous flooding. Isolated landslides could also occur.

Wind, downpours and lots of rain are expected on Halloween eve Tuesday. Scattered showers, meanwhile, are expected for trick-or-treaters on Halloween on Wednesday night, according to NWS hydrometeorological technician Jerome Saucier, with a 30 to 50 percent chance of rain in various areas statewide.

By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the Terms of Service. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our guidelines. Having trouble with comments? Learn more here.