Flood advisories extended for Oahu, Kauai; Kamehameha Highway remains closed by Kualoa Park

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UPDATE: 8:30 a.m.

The flood advisory for Oahu has been extended through 11:30 a.m. today.

Radar at 8:09 a.m. showed moderate to heavy showers over East Oahu with the heaviest showers falling over the area from Aina Haina to Waimanalo and Kailua, according to the National Weather Service. Rain was falling at rates up to 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Honolulu, Moanalua, Halawa, Aiea, Kalihi, Salt Lake, Ahuimanu,

Kahaluu, Pearl City, Kaneohe, Waiahole, Manoa, Maunawili, Waikane, Palolo, Waikele, Waipahu, Kailua and Kaneohe Marine Base.

6:30 a.m.

The flood advisory for Oahu has been extended through 8:30 a.m. today.

Radar at 6:23 a.m. showed moderate to heavy showers over East Oahu with the heaviest rain falling over the area from Manoa to Waimanalo and Kailua, according to the National Weather Service. Rain was falling at rates of up to 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Kalihi stream has been rising in response to the rains.

Locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Honolulu, Moanalua, Halawa, Aiea, Kalihi, Salt Lake, Ahuimanu,

Kahaluu, Pearl City, Kaneohe, Waiahole, Manoa, Maunawili, Waikane, Palolo, Waikele, Waipahu, Kailua and Kaneohe Marine Base.

6:15 a.m.

The flood advisory for Kauai has been extended through 9:30 a.m. today.

Radar at 5:42 a.m. showed moderate to locally heavy rain over the entire island falling at a rate of around 1 inch per hour, according to the National Weather Service. More heavy rainfall was developing just off Kauai’s south shore and is expected to move onshore in the next few hours.

Minor flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas can be expected.

A flash flood watch remains in effect for all islands through 6 p.m. Friday.

Kamehameha Highway remains closed in both directions near Kualoa Regional Park.

11:20 p.m.

Flash flood warnings for Oahu and Kauai have expired, however, the entire state remains under a flash flood watch until 6 p.m. Friday.

The National Weather Service said “a low west of Kauai will keep the atmosphere moist and unstable, maintaining the potential for locally heavy rainfall.”

Hawaiian Electric, meanwhile, said it has restored power to nearly 20,000 customers in Kahala, Kapahulu, Palolo, Waikiki, Manoa and Moiliili after a lightning storm caused a widespread outage in the area.

9:15 p.m.

Oahu’s flash flood warning has been extended to 12:30 a.m. Thursday.

Radar tonight indicated heavy rain over the south shore of Oahu stretching from the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport to Waikiki to Hawaii Kai. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Additional heavy rain continues to develop south of Oahu and is expected to move onshore during the next few hours.

Kamehameha Highway remains closed in both directions near Kualoa Ranch due to water over the roadway.

Kauai’s flash flood warning has expired since heavy rain has ended and flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat. A flash flood watch remains in effect through Friday.

7:35 p.m.

Hawaiian Electric is reporting 19,590 customers without power in the Kahala, Kapahulu, Palolo, Waikiki, Manoa and Moiliili areas.

Crews have been dispatched.

6:25 p.m.

Oahu is under a flash flood warning through 9:30 p.m. tonight.

The National Weather Service said radar indicated heavy rain over Windward Oahu, along the south shore of Oahu and east of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Rain was falling at a rate of around 2 inches per hour.

Flash flooding is occurring or expected to begin shortly in areas due to the rainfall. Locations that will experience flash flooding include but are not limited to Honolulu, Waiahole, Waikane, Kahaluu, Ahuimanu, Aiea, Pearl City, Halawa, Kaaawa, Moanalua, Kaneohe, Salt Lake, Punaluu, Mililani, Kalihi, Kaneohe Marine Base, Wahiawa, Maunawili, Hauula and Manoa.

Kauai’s flash flood warning has been extended to 9:30 tonight.

6 p.m.

Kamehameha Highway is closed in both directions this evening near Kualoa Point and Kualoa Regional Park due to flooding and debris.

A contraflow has been set up on Kamehameha Highway near Waimea Beach Park due to boulders on the road.

5:15 p.m.

The flood advisory for Oahu has been extended through 7:45 p.m. tonight, while the flood advisory for Kauai has been extended to 8:30 p.m.

At about 5 p.m., radar detected a line of heavier showers moving towards Oahu from the south, and is expected to produce briefly heavy downpours at rates up to 2 inches per hour as it moves across the island.

Radar on Kauai also detected rainfall continuing over the southeast half of Kauai, at rates of up to one inch per hour. Thunderstorms just south of Kauai may move onshore from Poipu to Kekaha with rain rates of up to 2 inches per hour.

Heavy downpours could cause ponding on roadways and reduced visibilities.

A flood advisory also remains in effect for the island of Maui through 6:45 p.m., and for Hawaii island until 7:30 p.m. today due to heavy rains falling over the Kau district.

At 5:07 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over the slopes of Haleakala, with the heaviest showers near Pukalani. Rain was falling at up to 1 inch per hour. The West Wailuaiki and Waikamoi Streams have risen in response to the rain.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Kihei, Kula, Keokea, Pukalani, Makawao, Haliimaile, Ulupalakua, Wailea, Makena, Haiku-Pauwela, Keanae, Nahiku, Haleakala National Park and Wailua.

The flash flood watch for all isles also remains in effect through 6 p.m. Friday.

A special marine warning for Kauai Channel and Kauai leeward waters remains in place until 6:30 p.m. due to a recent area of strong thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts located about 7 nautical miles soutwest of Poipu.

Kauai County officials at 5:15 p.m. said both lanes of Kuhio Highway, on the Princeville-side of the Hanalei Bridge, remain closed due to a rockslide. Motorists should anticipate an extended closure of this portion of the highway until further notice.

State officials said rocks and dirt continue to slide down the “Hanalei Hill” location at mile marker 1 of Kuhio Highway approaching the bridge.

The highway at mile marker 4.5 in the vicinity of Waikoko is now open to one lane of alternating traffic.

Forecasters say a low to the west of Kauai will keep the unstable weather in place, mainitaining the potential for locally heavy rainfall and significant flooding. A flash flood watch means one should be prepared to take action of a flash flood warning is issued.

4:20 p.m.

Oahu’s flood advisory has been extended to 6:45 tonight.

Radar indicated heavy rain falling heavy rain from Kaneohe to Maunawili to Kailua, with rain falling at rates around 1 inch per hour this afternoon. Streams in Windward Oahu remain elevated due to recent rain.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Ahuimanu, Kahaluu, Waiahole, Kaneohe, Waikane, Kaneohe Marine Base, Maunawili, Kailua, Kaaawa, Kalihi, Manoa, Waimanalo, Punaluu, Heeia, Kualoa, Kahana Valley State Park, Nuuanu, Bellows Air Force Station and Waimanalo Beach.

4 p.m.

A flood advisory is in effect for Maui until 6:45 tonight. Radar indicated heavy rain over the slopes of Haleakala, with the heaviest showers upslope of Kihei. Rain was falling at a rate of up to 1 inch per hour.

Kamehameha Highway has now reopened at the Waikane Bridge.

3:30 p.m.

Kamehameha Highway at the Waikane Bridge is closed in both directions due to flooding.

Due to heavy rains and flooding, drivers should expect similar road closures as Tuesday.

Radar and rain gauges show heavy rain up to 3 inches per hour across Windward Oahu this afternoon. Rain has diminished along the North Shore at this time.

2:45 p.m.

The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for Oahu to 5:45 p.m.

At 2:36 p.m., radar and rain gauges showed up to 3 inches per hour of heavy rain over the Oahu’s windward side and North Shore. The heaviest rain is currently falling over Haleiwa, Waikane and Waiahole. Softly rolling thunder can be heard in parts of windward Oahu.

Emergency management reports a landslide blocking the Kailua-bound lane of Pali Highway as well as ponding at various roadways. Punaluu, Waiahole, Waikane and Kawa streams are starting to rise in response to the rain.

A flood advisory for Kauai remains in place until 5:30 p.m. today, and a flash flood watch for all Hawaiian isles remains in place until 6 p.m. Friday.

A 4.2 magnitude earthquake, meanwhile, occurred at about 2:22 p.m. near Kilauea’s Kaoiki fault on Hawaii island. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said some areas may have experienced shaking, but there is no tsunami threat from the earthquake.

2:15 p.m.

The NWS has extended the flood advisory for Kauai another three hours to 5:30 p.m. today.

At 2:05 p.m., radar showed some heavy rain over the Kapaa area. Additional thunderstorms just south of Kauai are moving to the north, and are expected to move onshore from Kalaheo to Kekaha.

Rainfall rates could reach 2 inches per hour in the heaviest showers, forecasters warned. Portions of Kuhio Highway are also closed or obstructed due to recent rains and landslides.

1:45 p.m.

The NWS has upgraded the flood advisory for Oahu to a flash flood warning, effective until 4:15 p.m. today.

At 1:45 p.m., radar and rain gauges showed heavy rain of up to 3 inches per hour over windward Oahu, with the heaviest rain currently falling over Waikane and Waiahole.

Emergency management reports a landslide blocking the Kailua-bound lane of Pali Highway.

Officials said Punaluu, Waiahole, Waikane, and Kawa streams are starting to rise in response to the rain.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Waikane, Waiahole, Kaaawa, Kahaluu, Punaluu, Ahuimanu, Hauula, Aiea, Mililani, Wahiawa, Halawa, Kaneohe, Moanalua, Laie, Kaneohe Marine Base, Kalihi, Maunawili, Kailua, Kahuku and Manoa.

1:15

The NWS has issued a flood advisory for the island of Oahu, effective until 4:15 p.m. today.

At 1:09 p.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain over the windward side of Oahu with rain falling at rates up to 2 inches per hour in the heaviest showers. The Kawa Stream gauge near Kaneohe has started to rise in response to the rainfall in that area.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Waikane, Waiahole, Kaaawa, Kahaluu, Punaluu, Ahuimanu, Hauula, Aiea, Mililani, Wahiawa, Halawa, Kaneohe, Moanalua, Laie, Kaneohe Marine Base, Kalihi, Maunawili, Kailua, Kahuku and Manoa.

Officials warn the public to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding. Rainfall and runoff will also cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.

Do not cross fast flowing or rising water by vehicle or foot.

State transportation crews are checking on reports of a landslide on Pali Highway, Kailua-bound, by the hairpin turn. There is debris reported in the shoulder, and motorists are urged to drive with caution in the area.

On Kauai, a flood advisory still remains in effect until 2:30 p.m. today.

Officials this afternoon issued a special marine warning for leeward Kauai waters when an area of strong thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts was located near a buoy there. The warning remains in effect until 3 p.m.

Kauai County officials also said both lanes of Kuhio Highway on the Princeville side of Hanalei Bridge are closed due to fallen debris. Additionally, the highway is closed in both directions at mile marker 4.5 in the vicinity of Waikoko due to a landslide.

At Hanalei Bridge, the highway is now open to one lane of alternating traffic. Motorists are advised to drive with caution and allow for extra travel time in the area.

EARLIER TODAY

The NWS this morning canceled the flash flood warning for Kauai, and replaced it with a flood advisory as the heaviest rains appeared to subside.

The flood advisory for Kauai remains in place until 2:30 p.m. today. An earlier flood advisory for Hawaii island has been canceled.

At 10:52 a.m., radar for Kauai detected some showers moving over the western shore of Kauai, with rainfall rates up to 1 inch per hour. Recent showers over interior and eastern parts of the island have caused rises in the the Hanalei River and the South Fork of the Wailua River.

Kuhio Highway near the Hanalei Bridge remains closed this morning due to elevated river levels, county officials said. The state Department of Transportation also reported one lane blocked on the highway at mile marker 1 leading up to Hanalei Hill due to a landslide.

An earlier flash flood warning for the Puna and Kau districts for Hawaii island has also been replaced with a flood advisory, effective through 11:30 a.m. today.

Forecasters still expect widespread showers, some locally heavy, statewide today as a slow-moving low pressure system lingers west of Kauai.

A flash flood watch for all islands remains in effect through 6 p.m. Friday.

A high surf advisory has also been issued for east facing shores of all isles from Kauai to Hawaii island, with surf of 8 to 12 feet, through 6 a.m. Thursday.

At this time, middle isles appear to be in the clear, according to NWS meteorologist Will Ahue, but heavy showers are lingering just south of Niihau and Kauai, and south of the Puna area of Hawaii island.

“Right now the good news is they’re all staying off shore for the most part,” said Ahui. “That’s why the flash flood warnings were transitioned to advisories, but we still have the potential for the continued, moist southerly flow moving across the state and interacting with our terrain to create the potential for heavy showers.”

But these are not your typical trade showers, according to Ahue, and forecasters are closely watching models to see if another round of heavy rains pummels the isles.

“There’s still a lot of uncertainty, even beyond the short term,” Ahue said.

Today’s forecast includes mostly cloudy skies, with a chance of thunderstorms, and highs from 78 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Lows tonight dip to 65 to 70. Trades shifted to the south.

Due to the moisture and sub-freezing temperatures, up to another inch of snow is expected atop Big Isle summits, and a winter weather advisory there remains in place until 6 p.m. today.

Torrential rains earlier this week caused the aging Kaupakalua Reservoir and Dam in Haiku, Maui, to overspill, resulting in the emergency evacuation of some 150 downstream homes.

Maui County also said flooding on Monday resulted in heavy damage to at least half a dozen homes, while flood waters destroyed Peahi Bridge, heavily damaged Kaupakalua Bridge, and washed a portion of Awalau Road away in Haiku.

The rains hit Oahu on Tuesday, causing streams to overflow on the windward side. On Tuesday morning, firefighters responded to at least 20 weather-related calls on Oahu, including two swift-water rescues. This morning, they continue to search for a person reportedly swept away in a stream near Waihona Street in Pearl City.

Heavy rains resulted in flooding on Oahu’s North Shore, prompting the evacuation of Haleiwa residents Tuesday evening until just before midnight.

Gov. David Ige has issued an emergency proclamation for the state due disasters caused by heavy rains, including the flooding, landslides, fear of dam failure, and evacuations in at least two counties.