Oahu remains under flood advisory

UPDATE: 12:35 a.m.

Oahu’s flood advisory has been extended through 4:15 a.m. today.

The National Weather Service reported flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues.

Radar this evening indicated rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour and ponding has been reported on roadways.

Friday, 9:45 p.m.

Hawaiian Electric said it has made it through the evening with “sufficient generation to meet demand.”

Earlier today, the utility asked Oahu customers to conserve the use of electricity between 5 and 10 p.m. after several generators went offline or were reduced at capacity including the island’s largest generator, according to a tweet.

6:55 p.m.

Oahu’s flood advisory has been extended through 10:15 tonight.

The National Weather Service reported flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues on Oahu.

Radar this evening indicated heavy rain over Oahu. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour and ponding has been reported on the island.

5:30 p.m.

A flood advisory issued for Oahu is in effect until 7:15 p.m.

At 5:10 p.m., radar data indicated heavy rain moving over the island from the south. Heavy rainfall will affect urban Honolulu to Ewa Beach then spread across the rest of the island before sunset, forecasters said. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

The entire island is expected to experience minor flooding on roads, poor drainage areas and in streams.

The advisory may be extended past 7:15 p.m. if flooding continues.

UPDATE: 4:50 p.m.

Hawaiian Electric Co. is asking Oahu customers to conserve the use of electricity between 5 and 10 p.m. after several generators went offline or were reduced at capacity including the island’s largest generator, according to a tweet.

“Currently, we expect to have enough generating capacity available to meet the evening peak, especially because of lower than usual demand on New Year’s Eve. Energy conservation by the public can help ensure sufficient power is available,” the tweet said.

Hawaiian Electric recommends minimizing cooking, turning off or reducing the use of air conditioning, cutting off power to holiday lights, delaying hot showers, laundry and dishwashing.

There was no timeline on when the power generators would resume.

4:15 p.m.

Remaining flood advisories for Maui and Molokai were canceled at 4:13 p.m.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for the island of Hawaii, effective from 6 p.m. tonight to 6 a.m. Saturday.

The Big Island is expected to see dropping temperatures in areas above 13,000 feet, which will lead to a mix of rain and snow. Forecasters said snow accumulation will be up to one inch.

Those planning to drive in affected areas should be prepared for slippery road conditions and limited visibility.

3:15 p.m.

A flood advisory for Maui is in effect until 4:40 p.m. while the Molokai advisory has been extended to 5:15 p.m.

“At 3:07 p.m., radar indicated spotty moderate to heavy showers over slopes of Haleakala falling at a rate of around 1 inch per hour,” the National Weather Service’s Maui advisory said. “These showers have diminished slightly while a separate batch of showers is passing over west Maui.”

The Maui advisory covers Kihei, Kula, Keokea, Pukalani, Makawao, Keanae, Kipahulu, Kaupo, Haliimaile, Nahiku, Huelo, Haiku-Pauwela, Ulupalakua, Wailea, Pauwela, Paia, Makena, Puunene, Hana and Haleakala National Park.

Forecasters also said that at about 3 p.m., “radar indicated moderate to locally heavy rain moving over Molokai from the south, with the heaviest showers falling at a rate of up to 1 inch per hour. Locally heavy rainfall will likely decrease late this afternoon.”

The Molokai advisory includes Kualapuu, Kaunakakai, Hoolehua, Kalaupapa National Park, Kawela, Kamalo, Maunaloa, Ualapue, Kepuhi, Pukoo, Halawa Valley and Molokai Airport.

Earlier advisories for Kauai and the Big Island today have expired.

12:45 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Molokai due to excessive rainfall, effective until 3:15 p.m.

At 12:15 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour over and around Kaunakakai and Hoolehua. The rain will move over the entire island this afternoon and all of Molokai is expected to experience flooding, forecasters said.

Meanwhile, the advisory for Hawaii island has been extended to 3:15 p.m. after radar indicated heavy rain continuing to move over the Puna District and into the South Hilo District. At noon, rain was falling at a rate of 1 inch per hour.

10:15 a.m.

The National Weather Service has canceled the flash flood warning for Kauai.

Both lanes of Kuhio Highway near Hanalei Bridge, which closed earlier due to flooding, are now open, according to county officials, who advise motorists to continue exercising caution on all roadways.

A flood advisory, meanwhile, has been issued for the island of Hawaii due to excessive rainfall, effective until 12:15 p.m. today.

“At 9:09 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain moving over southeast slopes of the Puna District and spilling into the Hilo and Puna districts. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour and is expected to persist through the morning,” the advisory said.

The advisory includes Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Glenwood, Mountain View, Hawaiian Acres, Volcano, Orchidlands Estates, Keaau, Pahoa, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Fern Forest, Eden Roc, Fern Acres, Kurtistown, Ainaloa, Kalapana, Leilani Estates, Nanawale Estates and Hawaiian Beaches.

Officials warn the public to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.

8:35 a.m.

The flood advisory for Kauai has expired but a flash flood warning for the north shore of Kauai remains in effect until 9:30 a.m. due to previous heavy rain, the National Weather Service said.

“At 8:08 a.m., the stream gauge at the Hanalei River Bridge has been showing that elevated water levels are declining, and little shower activity is occurring on Kauai. Kauai Emergency Management reports that Kuhio Highway remains closed at the Hanalei River,” the updated warning says.

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The National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a flash flood warning for the north shore of Kauai until 9:30 a.m. today.

“At 6:26 a.m., the Hanalei River gauge reported a rapid rise in water level, even though rainfall upstream has decreased, and Kauai Emergency Management reports that Kuhio Highway has been closed at the Hanalei River,” the warning says.

Areas that will experience flash flooding include Princeville, Hanalei, Wainiha, Haena, Alakai Swamp Trails, Na Pali State Park and Kalihiwai, forecasters said.

Kūhiō Highway in the vicinity of the Hanalei Bridge is closed due to flooding, county officials said. More road closures and landslides are possible.

A large section of Kauai is also under a flood advisory until 8 a.m. today.

The advisory covers Lihue, Kapaa, Princeville, Kilauea, North Fork Wailua Trails, Wailua Homesteads, Wailua, Hanalei, Omao, Alakai Swamp Trails, Lawai, Anahola, Moloaa, Wainiha, Koloa, Haena, Poipu, Kokee State Park, Na Pali State Park and Wailua River State Park.

And Big Island summits are under a winter weather advisory until noon.

The weather service says that snow accumulation of up to 2 inches is possible with a chance of freezing rain, or mix of rain and snow.

The New Year’s forecast for the state calls for southerly winds that will bring showers, especially over the western islands.

There’s also a slight chance of thunderstorms through Saturday morning, forecasters said.