Molokai remains under flash flood warning

UPDATE: 6 p.m.

The flash flood warning for Maui has been canceled and a flash flood advisory for the island is now in effect until 9 p.m.

Radar from the National Weather Service indicated that the heaviest rainfall has subsided but heavy showers continue.

5:30 p.m.

The flash flood warning for Molokai has been extended until 8:15 p.m.

“At 5:12 p.m., stream gauges on Molokai continued to report high stream levels on Molokai. Law enforcement reported Kamehameha V highway was closed at Pukoo and Kamalo,” National Weather Service forecasters said. “Although the rain has subsided somewhat, light to moderate rain continues to fall over areas saturated by earlier intense rainfall.”

4:37 p.m.

A flash flood watch will remain in effect for Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe and Lanai through Tuesday afternoon.

An abundant amount of moisture from a stalled front near Hawaii island will continue to bring the threat of flash flooding.

Heavy rain will gradually shift westward on Tuesday and bring increased showers to Oahu.

Significant flooding may occur due to the overflow of streams and drainages. Roads in several areas may be closed and landslides may also occur in areas with steep terrain.

4:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Kona, North and South Kohala and Hamakua on Hawaii island.

3:05 p.m.

A flash flood warning has also been issued for the island of Maui until 6 p.m.

At 2:59 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain anchored over and near the West Maui mountains.

Rain was falling at a rare of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Maui #hiwx #hitraffic water continues to rise on Dairy Road/ Hana Highway in Kahului. Avoid the area if possible. pic.twitter.com/jNXSYbnBNR

— Hawaii DOT (@DOTHawaii) January 18, 2021

3 p.m.

A flash flood warning has been issued for the island of Molokai until 5:15 p.m.

At 2:25 p.m., radar indicated intense downpours from near Hoolehua, across the northern portion of Molokai, to near Halawa Valley.

Rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 4 inches per hour.

1 p.m.

Flood advisories have been posted for the islands of Maui and Molokai due to heavy rain.

The advisory for Molokai is in effect through 3 p.m. while the advisory for Maui is in effect through 1:45 p.m.

At 11:50 a.m., radar showed heavy rain over portions of northern Molokai from south of Kalaupapa to south of Halawa Valley, the National Weather Service said. Rain was observed falling at a rate of up to 1 to 2 inches per hour. Additional heavy rain was developing over far the western end of the island near Kapuhi.

At 12:34 p.m., radar showed moderate to heavy rain over portions of west Maui and along the Hana Highway, the NWS said. The state Department of Transportation said there was “considerable” standing water at the intersection of Dairy Road and Hana Highway in Kahului. Rain was falling at a rate of up to 0.5 to 1 inch per hour.

An earlier flood advisory for parts of Oahu has expired.

10:18 a.m.

A flood advisory has been posted for Oahu due to heavy rain.

At 10:17 a.m., radar showed heavy rain nearly stationary over southeast Oahu, including Waimanalo and Kailua, falling at a rate of up to 1 inch per hour, according to the National Weather Service.

The flood advisory is in effect through 1:15 p.m.

Locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Kaneohe, Maunawili, Ahuimanu, Kailua, Kahaluu, Kaneohe Marine Base, Manoa, Kalihi, Waimanalo, Moanalua, Waiahole, Palolo, Waikane, Hawaii Kai, Kaaawa, Punaluu, Heeia, Nuuanu, Makiki-Tantalus and Makiki.

9 a.m.

The section of Kaonoulu Street in Kihei closed earlier due to flooding has been reopened.

An earlier flood advisory for the island of Maui has expired, however, a flood advisory has been posted for Hawaii island through noon today.

At 8:53 a.m., radar showed heavy rain over north Kohala with rain falling at up to 2 inches per hour, according to the National Weather Service. Additional heavy showers are possible over the next few hours.

Locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Kapaau, Pololu Valley, Halaula, Kohala Ranch, Waimanu Valley, Hawi, Waipio Valley, Kamuela, Kukuihaele and Mahukona.

7:30 a.m.

S. Kihei Road between N. Kihei and Uwapo roads has been closed due to flooding, Maui County said.

A county public works crew is on scene.

6:15 a.m.

A section of Kaonoulu Street in Kihei has been closed due to flooding. County road personnel are at the scene, according to county officials.

Kaonoulu Street between S. Kihei Road and Alulike Street was closed this morning, according to a bulletin from Maui County at 5:50 a.m. today.

A flood advisory is in effect for the island of Maui through 8:15 a.m. today.

At 5:16 a.m., radar showed continued moderate to heavy rain falling over the eastern half of Maui, according to the National Weather Service. Rain was falling at a rate of up to 1.5 inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Kihei, Kula, Keokea, Pukalani, Makawao, Keanae, Kipahulu, Kaupo, Haliimaile, Huelo, Nahiku, Haiku-Pauwela, Ulupalakua, Wailea,

Pauwela, Paia, Makena, Puunene, Hana and Haleakala National Park.

Rainfall and runoff can cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.

A flash flood watch remains in effect for Oahu, Maui County and Hawaii island through Tuesday afternoon.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Sunday, 9:55 p.m.

The flood advisories for Kauai and Hawaii island have been canceled.

7:20 p.m.

A flood advisory has been issued for the northwest side of Hawaii island until 10:15 p.m.

“At 7:07 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over leeward Kohala area on the Big Island. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour,” according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu.

The weather service said that county emergency management is reporting street flooding near Kawaihae harbor.

The advisory covers Waikoloa Village, Puako, Kawaihae, Kohala Ranch, Kamuela, Puuanahulu, Mauna Lani, Waikoloa Beach and Mahukona.

The flood advisory for Kauai has also been extended until 10:30 p.m.

“At 7:17 p.m., radar indicated up to 2 inches of heavy rain has fallen over the island of Kauai this afternoon and evening. Heavy rainfall has decreased over the past hour, however stream levels will remain elevated for the next few hours,” the updated advisory said.

The advisory covers Lihue, Kapaa, Kalaheo, Kekaha, Princeville, Kilauea, North Fork Wailua Trails, Lawai, Omao, Kokee State Park, Wailua Homesteads, Hanalei, Hanapepe, Wainiha, Na Pali State Park, Koloa, Haena, Waimea, Wailua and Poipu.

5:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has expanded the flash flood watch to include Hawaii island from Monday morning through Tuesday afternoon.

The cold front bringing heavy rain and possible thunderstorms to the islands tonight is expected to stall near Maui and the Big Island Monday through Tuesday.

Windward and mountain areas and the Hamakua coast will see the greatest risk for flash flooding, forecasters said.

A wind advisory is also in effect until 6 p.m. Monday as north winds of 20 to 30 mph expected with localized gusts over 45 mph. The wind advisory covers Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Niihau and Oahu Hawaii.

“Winds this strong are capable of downing tents or other temporary structures, as well as downing trees and causing power outages,” forecasters said. “The strongest winds will occur over ridges and through valleys where winds can accelerate down-slope.”

The weather service also issued a flood advisory for Kauai until 7:30 tonight.

“At 4:37 p.m., radar indicated heavy showers across Kauai with rainfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour,” the advisory said. “The heaviest showers were located over north Kauai. Additional heavy showers are expected with potentially heavier rain rates during the next few hours.”

The advisory covers Lihue, Kapaa, Kalaheo, Kekaha, Princeville, Kilauea, North Fork Wailua Trails, Lawai, Omao, Kokee State Park, Wailua Homesteads, Hanalei, Hanapepe, Wainiha, Na Pali State Park, Koloa, Haena, Waimea, and Wailua, according to the weather service.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Heavy rain and more high surf are headed to the Hawaiian islands today, prompting the National Weather Service in Honolulu to post several warnings and advisories for today and early this week.

A flash flood watch is in effect this evening through Tuesday afternoon for Oahu, Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe and Lanai, with heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms predicted.

Forecasters said “a cold front will move over the islands from the northwest this afternoon and tonight, then stall over the central part of the island chain Monday through Tuesday.”

They warn of the possibility of “significant flooding” of streams, drainages and roads.

“Landslides may also occur in areas with steep terrain, especially along Maui’s Hana Highway,” forecasters said today.

They said that the storm front will move down the island chain this afternoon and tonight, and stall around Maui and the Big Island between Monday and Tuesday, then drift back to Oahu and Kauai between Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday.

Strong northeast tradewinds will follow the storm front, forecasters said.

The weather service also extended a high surf warning for much of the state as Saturday’s deadly swell of 50-foot waves is replaced by a smaller, but still dangerous northwest swell.

Surf of 30 to 40 feet is expected for north shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai and Maui, while 15-to-20 feet waves are predicted for west shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai through Tuesday at 6 a.m.

“Surf will likely diminish below warning levels statewide by this afternoon, but surf will build to 30 to 45 feet along north facing shores of Kauai tonight and early Monday as a new swell arrives. This large swell will spread to Oahu and Maui through the day Monday, producing warning-level surf heights,” the weather service said.

The warning covers north and west shores of Niihau, Kauai, Oahu and Molokai, and north shores of Maui until 6 a.m. Tuesday.

“Anyone entering the water (in the warning ares) could face significant injury or death,” forecasters warn.

On Saturday, a 64-year-old man died after he and his 16-year-old grandson were swept into the ocean while fishing at Nanakuli, Honolulu officials said..

Oahu’s north and west shores Saturday proved dangerous for many and deadly for one West Side family when a 64-year-old man died after he and his 16-year-old grandson were swept into the ocean while fishing at Nanakuli.

The Ocean Safety lifeguards had performed about 90 rescues on the North Shore and on West Oahu beaches, according to the city’s Emergency Services Department. They also issued thousands of warnings to beach-goers.

In addition to the high surf warning through Tuesday morning, forecasters today also issued a high surf advisory for north and west shores of the Big Island.

North shores on the island will see 12-to-16 feet, while west shore surf will be in the 7-to-10 foot range today. Surf will “gradually diminish later today and tonight,” but the arriving northwest swell will bring a return of the advisory-level surf again, according to the weather service.