Flash flood warning canceled as rain subsides on Hawaii island
UPDATE: 4:45 a.m.
The flash flood warning for Hawaii island was canceled Sunday night.
Highway 11 near Kawa Flats, between mile markers 57 and 61, has been reopened, according to Big Island Civil Defense.
Heavy rainfall across southeast Hawaii island had ceased as of 7:22 p.m. Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.
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A flash flood warning remains in effect for Hawaii island until 7:15 p.m. today due to additional rainfall occurring on already saturated ground. Numerous road closures across the island have been caused by heavy runoff and debris, and ponding is affecting travel. Highway 11 is closed near Kawa Flats.
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A flash flood watch is in effect for all islands through Monday afternoon. The atmosphere remains moist and unstable, and the ground in many windward and upslope areas is soaked from recent rainfall, the National Weather Service reported.
Along with the flash flood warning, all summits on Hawaii island are under a winter storm warning until 6 p.m. Heavy snow, thick fog and ice are possible, with snow accumulations of up to four inches expected at elevations above 12,000 feet. NWS reports the road to the summit of Mauna Kea and the campground at Mauna Loa has been closed as a precaution due to the weather.
Wet and windy weather will continue for another day or two as an upper-level disturbance lingers west of the islands, according to the NWS. Strong easterly trade winds will continue today, then shift to the east-southeast over the next few days. Some drying is possible Tuesday and Wednesday as easterly trade winds remain locally strong and gusty. A trend toward drier trade wind weather is expected next weekend.
A high surf advisory is also in effect for all east-facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii island due to near-gale force winds expected to produce large and rough surf through the middle of the week. Surf heights are expected to reach 8 to 12 feet through Wednesday, lowering to 6 to 10 feet by Thursday morning.
A flash flood watch also remains in effect for the entire state through 6 p.m. Monday. A small craft advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. Monday as well.
