Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Tuesday, April 23, 2024 72° Today's Paper


Top News

Flash flood warning continues for Hawaii island

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM
                                Off-and-on rain showers left water ponding Friday on roads such as Pohukaina Street in Kakaako.
1/1
Swipe or click to see more

DENNIS ODA / DODA@STARADVERTISER.COM

Off-and-on rain showers left water ponding Friday on roads such as Pohukaina Street in Kakaako.

UPDATE: 1:40 a.m. Sunday

The flash flood warning for the Big Island has been extended until 4:30 a.m. Sunday.

Heavy rainfall continues over the windward and southeast facing slopes, with the most intense rain from Hilo to South Point.

Highway 11 is closed at Kawa Flats. Both lanes of Highway 19 are open in Laupahoehoe Gulch at the 25-26 mile marker. Rainy conditions continue and there may be ponding throughout the highway.

Heavy rainfall along the Hamakua Coast will continue to cause flooding along the Belt Highway between Honomu and Honokaa.

Areas that may experience flooding include Hilo, Naalehu, Waipio Valley, Orchidlands Estates, Hawi, Pepeekeo, Keaau, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kawa Flats, Pahoa, Kapaau and Hawaiian Acres.

On Maui, a flood advisory is in effect until 4 a.m. Sunday.

Heavy rain showers are spreading across the windward and southeast portions of the east side.

“Rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour are noted across slopes along and above the Hana Highway,” the National Weather Service reported.

Locations in the advisory include Kaupo, Haiku-Pauwela, Haliimaile, Huelo, Pauwela, Kipahulu, Paia, Makawao, Nahiku, Hana, Kailua and Haleakala National Park.

A flash flood watch remains in effect for all Hawaiian islands through Sunday afternoon.

10:30 p.m. Saturday

The flash flood warning for Hawaii island has been extended until 1:30 a.m. Sunday.

Heavy rain was reported over the windward and southeast facing slopes, with the most intense rain from Hilo to South Point.

Weather officials said heavy rain along the Hamakua Coast will cause flooding problems along Belt Highway between Honomu and Honokaa.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Hilo, Naalehu, Waipio Valley, Orchidlands Estates, Hawi, Pepeekeo, Keaau, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kawa Flats, Pahoa, Kapaau and Hawaiian Acres.

9 p.m.

A flash flood warning has been issued for Hawaii island until 10:30 p.m.

At around 7:30 p.m., heavy rain was reported over the windward slopes of the island, with the most intense rain in Hilo.

“This rainfall will cause the water level in an already swollen Wailuku River to rise further,” weather officials said tonight. “Heavy rain along the Hamakua Coast will also cause flooding problems along Belt Highway between Honomu and Honokaa.”

Police are closing Daniel K. Inouye Highway by the 11-mile marker due to flooding and debris on the roadway.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Hilo, Naalehu, Waipio Valley, Orchidland Estates, Hawi, Pepeekeo, Keaau, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kawa Flats, Pahoa, Kapaau and Hawaiian Acres.

A flood advisory also remains in effect for Oahu until 9:30 p.m. as heavy rain spreads over central areas.

Police reported high levels of water on the H-1 freeway heading west between the Waipahu and Waimalu off-ramps. Drivers should avoid this area if possible.

Locations in the advisory include Honolulu, Waimanalo, Wahiawa, Waialua, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii Kai, Ahuimanu, Punaluu, Wheeler Field, Kapolei, Waikele and Kalihi.

6:40 p.m.

A flood advisory is in effect for Oahu until 9:30 p.m. tonight. Radar indicated heavy rain over parts of the island this evening with the heaviest rainfall at 2 inches per hour in the area between Manoa Valley and Mililani.

Additional heavy showers are expected through the evening and overnight hours, according to the National Weather Service.

3 p.m.

A flash flood watch remains in effect for the entire state through Sunday afternoon.

The National Weather Service said an upper-level low to the west of the islands will combine with strong trade winds to bring the potential for excessive rainfall, mainly to windward areas.

A winter storm warning is in effect for the Big Island summits through Sunday evening. Deep moisture brought in by strong trade winds will combine with sub-freezing temperatures to produce periods of wintry weather, including heavy snowfall.

8 a.m.

A high surf warning remains in effect through 6 p.m. tonight for east-facing shores of Oahu, Kauai, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii island, with a flash flood watch in effect for the entire state through Sunday afternoon.

According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, “an upper level low to the west, combined with enhanced low level moisture and strong trade winds will bring the possibility of flash flooding.”

Windward and mountain locations on all islands could see possible flooding, especially in areas where the ground is already saturated from previous rain. Roadways could become impassible due to flooding and debris in streams and gulches could clog bridges and culverts.

In addition, “strong to gale force trade winds near and upstream of the island will produce large rough surf.” Elevated surf levels are expected to continue early next week.

Forecasters today expect a high of 77 degrees in Honolulu with heavy rain, possible thunderstorms, and breezy winds that could include gusts of up to 29 mph. Approximately 1 to 2 inches of new rainfall is possible throughout the day.

12:30 a.m.

A flood advisory has been issued for Oahu and Maui until 2 a.m. Saturday.

On Oahu, heavy rain was reported at around 11 p.m. Friday over the southeast portion of the island.

Weather officials said the ground is saturated and stream levels may begin to rise.

Locations in the advisory include Honolulu, Waimanalo, Wahiawa, Hawaii Kai, Ahuimanu, Punaluu, Kahuku, Kalihi, Waiahole, Moanalua, Pearl City and Hauula.

On Maui, heavy rain was reported to spread across the windward slopes of Haleakala and the West Maui Mountains.

Locations in the advisory include Kahului, Honokohau, Haliimaile, Lahaina, Paia, Makawao, Wailuku, Keokea, Olowalu, Wailea, Waihee and Kaanapali.

A flash flood watch remains in effect for all Hawaiian islands through Sunday afternoon.

3:40 p.m. Friday

A flash flood watch is in effect for all Hawaiian islands through Sunday afternoon.

The National Weather Service expanded the watch this afternoon. It said heavy showers and thunderstorms are possible through the weekend. An upper level trough moving toward the state from the west, combined with enhanced low level moisture riding strong trade winds, will bring the possibility of flash flooding.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

The triple threat of high surf, gusty winds and rains continues heading into the weekend — and snow is falling on Big Island summits.

Forecasters from the National Weather Service expect wet and windy weather to continue, with frequent showers moving quickly through windward and mauka areas Friday. Heavier showers are possible Friday night through Saturday.

The high-surf warning for east shores of isles from Kauai to Hawaii island remains in place, due to strong winds, through 6 p.m. Saturday.

Surf of 10 to 15 feet is expected along affected shores through Saturday evening, and elevated surf will continue into early next week.

Officials warn of strong breaking waves and dangerous currents, which make entering the water very hazardous in these areas.

Ocean water may occasionally sweep across portions of beaches and low-lying roads.

The combination of large surf — along with the strong, onshore winds, high tides and elevated ocean water levels — will produce wave runup and coastal erosion along east shores over the next few days.

Gusty winds continue throughout the isles, forecasters said, and the current wind advisory has been expended to include Kauai. It may also need to be extended beyond 6 p.m. today.

Northeasterly winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour, with gusts up 50 mph, have downed trees and branches and caused sporadic power outages.

On Oahu, winds downed a tree and electrical lines on Maunaloa Avenue near 6th Avenue, and blew low-hanging wires over the makai lane of Kamehameha Highway in Laie.

Sand, rocks and ocean debris have also landed on the roadway fronting Kualoa Ranch at 49-275 Kamehameha Highway. Drivers are advised to proceed with caution in the area.

Foster and Lili‘uokalani Botanical gardens were closed Thursday due to downed branches out of an abundance of caution, but reopened Friday.

Moanalua Valley Neighborhood Park was also closed Thursday.

A flash flood watch remains in place for Maui and Hawaii island through Saturday afternoon due to heavy showers caused by an upper disturbance in the area.

Windward and mountain areas, where grounds are already saturated, are the most susceptible to flooding.

Maui County officials warn the public not to cross fast-flowing water in a vehicle or on foot. Campers and hikers should also reschedule their outings.

An earlier flood advisory for Hawaii island was extended through 1:30 p.m. Friday. Radar at 10:09 a.m. showed bands of heavy rainfall moving over windward areas of the island with rain rate up to 1 to 2 inches per hour, according to the NWS. Additional rain bands are expectred to move onshore from the east throughout the day.

Locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Hilo, Paauilo, Waipio Valley, Orchidland Estates, Pepeekeo, Keaau, Honokaa, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pahoa, Kapaau, Hawaiian Acres, Glenwood, and Mountain View.

Also on Hawaii island, high winds on Thursday afternoon ignited a brush fire at the entrance of Puukohola Heiau and Spencer Beach Park, according to Hawaii County Fire Department, after a pickup truck caught on fire. Firefighters brought the brushfire under control in about two-and-a-half hours, and no injuries were reported. Approximately 30 acres were burned.

A winter weather advisory is in effect for Hawaii island summits through 6 a.m. Saturday after cloudy, windy weather with snow showers graced the summits Friday morning.

Moisture brought in by strong winds combined with the approach of an upper-level disturbance threatens to produce periods of snowfall on the summits that could deposit up to 2 inches of additional snow accumulation.

At lower elevations, Hawaii County officials said the outside lanes of Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo are closed at Pauahi Street, along with Coconut Island, Honolii Beach and Spencer Beach Park.

Forecasters say the winds will begin to ease Saturday night, but unsettled weather is likely to continue into the middle of next week.

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.