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All Hawaiian islands under flood watch but rains diminish on Oahu

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
                                Dark, low-lying clouds are seen above Makiki during a flood advisory today.
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JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM

Dark, low-lying clouds are seen above Makiki during a flood advisory today.

COURTESY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
                                Heavy rain was falling over the Koolau mountains this morning.
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COURTESY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

Heavy rain was falling over the Koolau mountains this morning.

JAMM AQUINO / JAQUINO@STARADVERTISER.COM
                                Dark, low-lying clouds are seen above Makiki during a flood advisory today.
COURTESY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
                                Heavy rain was falling over the Koolau mountains this morning.

UPDATE: 5:50 p.m.

The flood advisory for Hawaii island has been canceled.

The entire state remains under a flood watch through Sunday afternoon.

Forecasters said the Hawaiian islands will see periods of moderate to locally heavy rain spreading northwestward across the state today and Sunday, with isolated thunderstorms possible over the eastern end of the state. Light to moderate tradewinds are expected through this evening, followed by “breezy trades with slightly drier conditions” next week, they said today.

4:25 p.m.

A flood advisory for Hawaii island has been extended until 7:30 p.m.

“At 4:15 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over several areas of leeward Big Island, with especially heavy rain from near Waikoloa to Honaunau,” forecasters said. ” Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.”

The advisory covers Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook, Waikoloa Village, Honaunau, Kealakekua, Kainaliu, Honalo, Kahaluu-Keauhou, Holualoa, Pohakuloa Training Area, Kalaoa, Puuanahulu, Hawaiian Ocean View, Puako, Kamuela, Kona International Airport, Milolii, Hawaii Volcanoes Park Kahuku Unit, Waikii and Waikoloa Beach.

4:15 p.m.

A flood advisory for Oahu has expired.

“Radar shows that the heavy rain has diminished and stream gauges show that water levels have dropped,” weather officials said.

The Big Island advisory in in effect until 4:30 p.m, while an earlier advisory for Kauai has been canceled.

3:30 p.m.

Flood advisories have been issued for parts of Kauai and Hawaii island this afternoon.

On Kauai, the National Weather Service said, “rain gauges indicated heavy rain over windward portions,” especially over Wailua.

The advisory, which is in effect until 4:15 p.m., covers Lihue, Kapaa, Kalaheo, Princeville, Kilauea, North Fork Wailua Trails, Wailua Homesteads, Wailua, Anahola, Hanalei, Omao, Moloaa, Lawai, Koloa, Poipu, Wainiha, Wailua River State Park, Puhi, Hanamaulu and Kealia.

On the Big Island, “radar indicated heavy rain over several leeward areas,” forecasters said.

The advisory is in effect until 4:30 p.m. and covers Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook, Waikoloa Village, Honaunau, Kealakekua, Kainaliu, Honalo, Kahaluu-Keauhou, Holualoa, Pohakuloa Training Area, Kalaoa, Puuanahulu, Hawaiian Ocean View, Puako, Kamuela, Milolii, and Waikii.

A high surf advisory for all eastern shores, meanwhile, has been canceled.

1:30 p.m.

The flash flood warning for Oahu expired at 1:15 p.m. today.

“Widespread heavy rainfall has diminished over windward Oahu, but pockets of heavy showers continue to move ashore,” said forecasters, “and the flash flood warning has been replaced with a flood advisory.”

The flood advisory for the island remains in effect until 4:15 p.m.

Forecasters said at 1:09 p.m. radar indicated heavy rain over East Oahu, with the potential to move into portions of Central Oahu, as well, where heavy rain has already fallen earlier today.

Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches an hour.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Honolulu, Ahuimanu, Kahaluu, Waiahole, Kaneohe, Waikane, Aiea, Moanalua, Halawa, Kalihi, Salt Lake, Maunawili, Pearl City, Kaneohe Marine Base, Manoa, Kailua, Kaaawa, Palolo, Waimanalo and Mililani.

A high surf advisory for all east-facing shores remains in effect through 6 p.m., and a flood watch for all main Hawaiian islands remains in effect through Sunday afternoon.

10:25 a.m.

For the second time this morning, the National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for Oahu until 1:15 p.m.

“At 10:16 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain over central and eastern Oahu, including communities in urban Honolulu,” forecasters said. “Rain was falling at a rate of 1.5 to 3 inches per hour, and was especially heavy from Halawa to near Pearl City. Periods of heavy showers over already saturated ground may quickly lead to runoff and flash flooding.

“Water levels in already elevated streams could rise rapidly with additional heavy rain. Water could inundate some roads, including Kamehameha Highway. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”

The updated warning includes Honolulu, Waipio, Waiahole, Waikane, Pearl City, Aiea, Kahaluu, Halawa, Ahuimanu, Mililani, Waikele, Moanalua, Salt Lake, Wahiawa, Kaaawa, Waipahu, Wheeler Field, Kunia, Punaluu and Kalihi.

9:35 a.m.

The flash flood warning for Oahu has been extended until 12:30 p.m.

The updated warning includes Honolulu, Ahuimanu, Kaneohe, Kahaluu, Waiahole, Kalihi, Maunawili, Moanalua, Aiea, Halawa, Waikane, Kaneohe Marine Base, Manoa, Kailua, Salt Lake, Pearl City, Palolo, Waimanalo, Kaaawa and Mililani.

“At 9:14 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain over windward Oahu,” National Weather Service forecasters said. “Rain rates as high as 1.5 to 2.5 inches per hour have been observed. Periods of heavy showers over already saturated ground may quickly lead to runoff and flash flooding.

“Water levels in already elevated streams could rise rapidly with additional heavy rain. Water could inundate some roads, including Kamehameha Highway. “Flash flooding is likely ongoing.”

The flash flood warning for Maui has expired.

9 a.m.

National Weather Service forecasters said heavy rain over windward Oahu at a rate of as much as 3 inches per hour “may quickly lead to runoff and flash flooding.”

In an update to the flash flood warning for Oahu, which is in effect until 9 a.m., forecasters said, “Water levels in streams are expected to continue to rise. Water could inundate some roads, including Kamehameha Highway. Additionally, Manoa Stream at Woodlawn has reached 10.5 feet, which is known to cause impacts that include inundating nearby property. Flash flooding is likely ongoing.”

Maui also remains under a flash flood warning, until 9:45 a.m., but forecasters said rain is diminishing there. Still, “water levels remain dangerously high in most east Maui streams,” they said.

8 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the main Hawaiian islands through Sunday afternoon.

“Flood prone roads and other low lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams. Urban areas may receive more significant flooding and property damage

A weather system moving over the islands through Sunday will result in “a very unstable atmosphere. Conditions will be increasingly favorable for the development of heavy showers and thunderstorms, especially over windward areas,” they said in the flood watch statement.

The flood watch is in addition to the flash flood warnings in effect for Oahu and Maui. (See below.)

And a high surf advisory is in effect for all eastern shores.

Hawaii island Civil Defense said Bayfront Highway in Hilo is closed in both directions through today due to high surf and debris on roadway.

7:05 a.m.

Flash flood warnings has been issued for Oahu and Maui this morning.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu said the warning lasts until 9:30 a.m. for Oahu and until 9:45 a.m. for Maui.

“At 6:40 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain over windward Oahu. Rain rates as high as 1.5 to 2.5 inches per hour have been observed,” forecasters said. “Periods of heavy showers over already saturated ground may quickly lead to runoff and flash flooding. Water levels in streams are expected to continue to rise. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”

The warning for Oahu covers Honolulu, Ahuimanu, Kaneohe, Kahaluu, Waiahole, Kalihi, Maunawili, Moanalua, Aiea, Halawa, Waikane, Kaneohe Marine Base, Manoa, Kailua, Salt Lake, Pearl City, Palolo, Waimanalo, Kaaawa and Mililani.

On Maui, forecasters said, “radar indicated heavy rain over windward east Maui. Rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”

The Maui warning covers Nahiku, Keanae, Kipahulu, Hana, Kaupo, Huelo, Makawao, Haiku-Pauwela, Pauwela, Paia, Wailua, Haleakala National Park, Kailua, and Hamoa.

The warnings replace flood advisories issued earlier today and may be extended if flooding persists, the weather service said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Parts of Oahu and Maui are under a flood advisory this morning as a rainy weather system begins moving over the state, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu.

The Oahu advisory, which lasts until 7 a.m., covers Kaneohe, Ahuimanu, Kalihi, Maunawili, Manoa, Moanalua, Kahaluu, Halawa, Kailua, Aiea, Palolo, Waiahole, Waimanalo, Waikane, Pearl City, Hawaii Kai, Heeia, Nuuanu, Fort Shafter and Makiki-Tantalus.

“At 3:54 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain over the Koolaus. Rain was falling at a rate of up to 2 inches per hour,” the advisory said.

Forecasters said the Hawaiian islands will see periods of moderate to locally heavy rain spreading northwestward across the state today and Sunday, with isolated thunderstorms possible over the eastern end of the state.

Light to moderate tradewinds are expected through this evening, followed by “breezy trades with slightly drier conditions” next week, they said today.

For Maui, the advisory is in effect until 8:15 a.m. and covers Nahiku, Keanae, Kipahulu, Hana, Kaupo, Huelo, Makawao, Haiku-Pauwela, Pauwela, Paia, Wailua, Haleakala National Park, Kailua, Hamoa and Hookipa Beach Park.

“At 5:11 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain over east and southeast slopes of Haleakala. Rain was falling at a rate of up to 2 inches per hour,” the Maui advisory said.

In addition to the flood advisories a high surf advisory is in effect for all eastern shores through 6 p.m. today. The weather service predicts large breaking waves of up to 8 to 12 feet this morning, declining to 7 to 10 feet this afternoon.

Meanwhile, Hurricane Kristy in the East Pacific “is rapidly weakening” and expected to dissipate into a post-tropical remnant low by Sunday before reaching the Central Pacific, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Kristy, which was a major hurricane earlier this week far from land in the East Pacific, had maximum sustained winds around 75 mph with higher gusts as of this morning, forecasters said.

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