Power, Road Access Affected by High Winds

Multiple roads across the Big Island have been partially or completely shut down due to strong winds that have knocked down trees and branches and scattered debris.

According to a 1:30 a.m. message from Hawai’i County Civil Defense, the following roads remain closed:

• Highway 19 at the 53 mile marker in Waimea, near the Mealani Experiment Station
• Highway 250 at the 4 mile marker in North Kohala
• Old Mamalahoa Highway between Ahualoa and Waimea
• Highway 11 near the 19 mile marker in Glenwood

Scattered power outages have been reported islandwide. According to Civil Defense, crews from Hawai’i Electric Light are working to restore power to all affected areas.

A shelter has been opened for East Hawai’i residents that need protection from the hazardous conditions. Aunty Sally Kaleohano’s Luau Hale opened at 12:30 a.m. and will remain open until it is no longer necessary.

A flood advisory is currently posted for the island until 5 a.m. National Weather Service radar is reporting heavy rain and thunderstorms continuing to move across the island at 25 to 30 miles per hour. More rain, wind, and stormy conditions remain off of the Kona coast and have yet to impact the island.

The summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa remain under a High Wind Warning until 6 p.m. Saturday. Winds are forecast to come out of the west at 55 to 90 mph with hurricane-force gusts potentially reaching 130 mph. The rest of the island remains in a High Wind warning until 6 a.m. Saturday with south to southwest winds reaching 25 to 40 mph with localized gusts up to 60 mph.