UDPATE 3: Flood Advisory Extended for Big Island

UPDATE 3: 7 a.m., Oct. 13, 2017

The flood advisory for Hawai‘i County has been extended until 9:45 a.m. this morning.

At 6:42 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain over the north Kohala mountains.

Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Minor flooding of low lying and poor drainage areas can be expected.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Waipio Valley, Kukuihaele, Hawi, Kamuela, Kawaihae, Waikoloa Village, Pololu Valley, Kohala Ranch, Halaula, Kapa‘au, Waimanu Valley and Puako.

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 9:45 a.m. if heavy rain persists.

UPDATE 2: 9:37 p.m., Oct. 12

At 9:33 p.m., strong thunderstorms with heavy rain were along Ka“ū District moving west at 10 mph.

Locations impacted include Na‘alehu, Pahala, Wood Valley, Kawa Flats, Hawaiian Ocean View, Punaluu Beach, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Discovery Harbour, Hawai‘i Volcanoes Park Kahuku Unit and Waiohinu.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.

Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

UPDATE 1: 8:11 p.m., Oct. 12

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a flood advisory for Hawai‘i County until 11 p.m.

At 8:04 p.m. radar indicated heavy rain over portions of the windward side of the Big Island from Hilo to South Point.

Rainfall rates up to 1 to 2 inches per hour are expected in the heaviest showers.

Periods of heavy rainfall will continue for a few more hours.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Hilo, Na‘alehu, Pa‘auilo, Orchidland Estates, Pepe‘ekeo, Kea‘au, O‘okala, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kawa Flats, Pahoa, Hawaiian Acres and Glenwood.

ORIGINAL POST 7:40 p.m., Oct. 12

The National Weather Service in Honolulu reported at 7:40 p.m. Thursday,  Oct. 12, 2017, an area of strong thunderstorms that will affect north and east areas of Hawai‘i Island.

At 7:32 p.m., strong thunderstorms were clustered along the Hāmākua Coast from Hawaiian Beach to Laupahoehoe.

These thunderstorms are moving northwest at 5 to 10 mph.

Locations impacted include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiian Acres, Orchidland Estates,
Pepe‘ekeo, Kea‘au, Laupahoehoe, O‘okala, Honomu, Papaikou, Ninole, Hakalau, Pāhoa, Mountain View, Hawaiian Beaches, Kurtistown, Ainaloa, Wainaku and Pauka‘a.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning and heavy rain are occurring with these storms.

Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm.

Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

However, Pacific Disaster Center Emergency Operations reported at 7:25 p.m. tonight that at 7 p.m., a home in Hilo caught fire due to a lightening strike.

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.