UPDATE 2: Flash Flood Victim Identified

File photo of the 2013 flooding in Waiakea Uka. File photo by Nate Gaddis.

UPDATE 2: Jan. 23, 12:09 p.m.

Hawaiʻi Island police have initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation into the death of a Honokaʻa woman who was swept away by rushing rain water Saturday night, Jan. 21.

She has been identified as 47-year-old Beth R. Radl.

Police and Fire Department personnel responded to a 10:42 p.m. Saturday that Radl had tried to cross a “river” of rushing water near her home on the 3900 block of Kahana Drive, when she was swept away by the knee-high water.

Her body was located at 5:29 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, in a stream about a quarter-mile away.

An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

UPDATE 1: Jan. 22, 3:04 p.m.

During a search today for a  person swept away by flash flooding in Ahualoa yesterday,  Hawai‘i Fire Department rescue personnel located and brought a 47-year-old woman to M8 personnel, who confirmed DOA status with HPD officers as witnesses.

ORIGINAL POST: Jan. 22, 8:40 a.m.

Hawai‘i Fire Department arrived at the scene at 1:50  p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2017, in response to a 10:40 p.m. report about a 47-year-old female attempted to cross a  river that was flooding across a driveway off of Kahana Road in the Ahualoa area of Honoka‘a.

The private driveway crosses a typically dry river bed, but due to heavy rain, flash flooding of the river occurred, sweeping the woman down the river.

The woman was swept off her feet and disappeared down the river.

Attempts were made to try and locate the woman but due to dangerous conditions, the search was postponed till first daylight.

Two rescue companies and in district fire companies are initiating a ground and air search starting at 6 a.m. Sunday morning.