Flood Advisory Issued for Hawai‘i County

UPDATE 3:45 p.m.: Oct. 22, 2017:

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has continued the Flood Advisory for the island of Hawai‘i in Hawai‘i County until 5 p.m. HST.

At 3:39 p.m. radar indicated heavy rain continuing over the slopes above Hilo. The area of rain has shifted southeast and has started to affect the Waiakea Uka area with rain rates of about 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Heavy rain is also affecting Stainback Highway and the upper sections of Mountain View and Glenwood.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to… Hilo, Hawaiian Acres, Orchidland Estates, Glenwood, Pepeekeo, Keaau, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Volcano, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honomu, Mountain View and Papaikou.

Original Post:

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flood Advisory for the island of Hawai‘i in Hawai‘i County until 5 p.m. HST.

At 2:01 p.m. HST, radar indicated heavy rain over the slopes above Hilo and Volcano village. The most intense rainfall was over upper Kaumana and Saddle Road with rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour.

Additional rainfall is expected to develop along the slopes of the South Hilo and Puna Districts for the next several hours.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to: Hilo, Hawaiian Acres, Orchidland Estates, Glenwood, Pepeekeo, Keaau, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Volcano, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honomu, Mountain View and Papaikou.

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 500 PM HST if heavy rain persists.