UPDATE 5: Flood Advisory Extended

UPDATE 6: 8:38 p.m.

Severe weather conditions above the17-milee marker on the Daniel K. Inouye Highway causing hazardous driving conditions. Use alternate routes.

NWS reports severe weather conditions impacting roadways at higher elevations.

Drive with caution and avoid the Daniel K. Highway, also known as the Saddle Road, if possible.

UPDATE 5: 8:27 p.m.

The Flood Advisory for Hawaii Island has been extended until 11:30 p.m.

At 8:24 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain near Na‘alehu, or near Kawa Flats.

Rain was falling at a rate at near an inch an hour.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to:

• Na‘alehu
• Kawa Flats
• Punalu‘u Beach
• Pahala
• Waiohinu
• Discovery Harbour

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 in your vehicle, or on foot.

Turn around, don’t drown.

UPDATE 4: March 9, 6:44 p.m.

The Flood Advisory has been extended to 9:45 p.m.

UPDATE 3: March 9, 5:30 p.m.

A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for the island of Hawai‘i in Hawaii County until 8:30 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., radar indicated very heavy rain over the Puna District between Kea‘au and Hawaiian Beaches.

Rain rates were from 3 to 4 inches per hour and may cause flooding in poor drainage  areas especially along the highway from Kea‘au to Pāhoa.

The area of heavy rain was moving slowly toward the east.

Locations in the warning include but are not limited to:

• Hilo
• Hawaiian Paradise Park
• Mountain View
• Kea‘au
• Pāhoa
  
• Glenwood
• Orchidlands Estates
• Hawaiian Acres
• Volcano
• Leilani Estates
• Ainaloa
• KurtistownA flash flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring in streams, roads, and low lying areas. Move to higher ground now.Do not cross fast flowing water in your vehicle, or on foot.

Turn around, don/t drown.

UPDATE 2: March 9, 5 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Advisory through this evening for the island of Hawai‘i.

Due to severe weather, HELCO reports several power outages and crews are in the field making repairs.

Due to the power outages, some traffic signals in Hilo are not working.

Motorists are advised to treat affected intersections as four-way stops and drive with caution.

Be alert and prepared to take action should Flash Flooding occur.

UPDATE 1: March 9, 3:08 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu reported at 2:53 p.m. Thursday, March, 9, 2017, that a strong thunderstorm will affect windward slopes above Hilo.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning is in effect until 4 p.m.

At 2:50 p.m., a strong thunderstorm was located 13 miles southeast of Pōhakuloa Camp, or 20 miles west of Hilo, moving east at 5 mph.

At 3:09 p.m.,  Doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm  capable of producing half-dollar size hail and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph.

This storm was located 14 miles north of Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, and moving east at 5 mph.

Locations impacted include the slopes above Mountain View, Volcano and Glenwood

Severe thunderstorms produce damaging winds, destructive hail, deadly lightning and very heavy rain.

For your protection, move to an interior room on the lowest floor of your home or business.

Heavy  rains flood roads quickly so do not drive into areas where water covers the road.

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Wind gusts up to 55 mph and nickel-sized hail are possible with this storm as it approaches the eastern portions of Saddle Road.