UPDATE: Flash Flood Warning Issued for Big Island

Sept. 14, 2016, 6 p.m. NOAA/NWS

Hilo Bay, Sept 14, 5 p.m. Photo: Crystal Richard

Sept. 14, 2016, 4 p.m. NOAA/NWS

UPDATE: Sept. 14, 8:36 p.m.

Highway 19 along Hamakua Coast is open. The public is advised that the Pa‘auilo Gym is open as an evacuation shelter (43-977 Pa‘auilo Hui Road).

Hawaii Electric Light reports power outages for portions of Hilo, Upper Puna and Hamakua. Power restoration repair efforts will begin after the heavy rains and lightning storms dissipate.

A 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: Sept. 14, 7:17 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Hawaii County until 10:15 p.m.

At 7:17 p.m. radar indicated heavy rain across numerous areas within Hamakua, Hilo, Puna and Kau Districts.

Rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour are noted and the areas of heavy rain are nearly stationary.

This warning expands upon and replaces the previous Flash Flood Warning for The Big Island.

Locations in the warning include but are not limited to:

• Hilo
• Hawaiian Paradise Park
• Honokaa
• Honomu
• Keaau
• Waimanu Valley
• Waipio Valley
• Pahoa
• Pepeekeo
• Pahala
• Glenwood
• Precautionary/preparedness actions…

A 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. Turnaround… don’t drown.

This warning may need to be extended beyond 1015 PM HST if heavy rain persists.

UPDATE: Sept.14, 7 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Hawai‘i County until 8 p.m.

At 5:07 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain and thunderstorms along the Hamakua Coast. Rain was falling at a rate of 3 to 4 inches per hour.

Heavy rain and thunderstorms have been reported. Emergency responders report flooding and significant run-off in areas along the Hamakua Coast.

One lane is open on Highway 19 near Pa’auilo Post Office due to a landslide. Motorists are advised to drive with caution in the area. The public is advised that the Pa’auilo Gym is open as an evacuation shelter for Hamakua residents.

A 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.

This warning may need to be extended beyond 8:00 pm tonight if heavy rain persists.

Locations in the warning include but are not limited to:

• Honoka‘a
• Honomu
• Kukuihaele
• Waimanu Valley
• Waipio Valley
• O‘okala
• Laupahoehoe]
• Pa‘auilo

A Flash Flood Warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring in streams, roads and lo- lying areas. Move to higher ground now.

Do not cross fast flowing water in your vehicle… or on foot. Turn
around, don’t drown.

This warning may need to be extended beyond 8 p.m. if heavy rain
persists.

This Flash Flood Warning replaces the previously issued Flood Advisory that was in effect for portions of Hawai‘i County.

ORIGINAL POST: Sept. 14, 4:53 p.m.

A Flood Advisory and Flash Flood Watch was issued: at 4:36 p.m. Sept. 14, 2016, by the National Weather Service in Honolulu.

A Flood Advisory has been issued for Hawai‘i County until 7:30 p.m.

At 4:35 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain near Honoka‘a, near Honomu. Rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to

• Honoka‘a
• Honomu
• Kukuihaele
• Papaikou
• Waimanu Valley
• Waipio Valley
• O‘okala
• Laupahoehoe
• Pepe‘ekeo.
• Pa‘auilo
• Ninole
• Hakalau

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.

This advisory may need to be extended beyond 7:30 p.m. if heavy rain persists.

A Flash Flood Watch is also in effect for Big Island through 6 p.m. Thursday.

A very moist and unstable air mass interacting with an upper-level trough will result in unsettled weather with the potential for flash flooding.

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is very dangerous.