BREAKING: Flash Flood Warning, Wind Advisory for Hawai’i County

The National Weather Service has posted a Flash Flood Warning for Hawai’i County until Noon. The warning covers heavy rain falling at 2 inches per hour at Kulani Cone above Glenwood. The area of rain was nearly stationary. Heavy showers will continue to stream into the Kau and Puna districts over the next 2 to 3 hours.

Hawai’i County Civil Defense reported road closures due to flash flooding near Kawa Flats between 57 and 58 miles markers of the Mamalahoa Highway earlier this morning. The Flash Flood Warning for that area was allowed to expire at 10:00am this morning.

A Flash Flood Warning means flash flooding is imminent or occurring in streams, roads and low-lying ares. Move to higher ground now.

Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle or on foot. Turn aqround, Don’t drown.

This warning may need to be extended beyond 10:00 a.m. if the flash flooding persists.

Satellite imagery, 8:00am, October 18, 2014 / Image: NOAA

A Wind Advisory is also posted for Big Island Summits until 6:00 p.m. tonight. Southeast winds from 30 – 45 mph, gusting to 65 mph, are expected.

Impacts include winds that can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.

A wind advisory means that sustained winds of at least 30 mph or gusts of at least 50 mph are expected. Motorists should use extra caution.