UPDATE 5: Snow, Flood Watch, High Surf Advisory

UPDATE 6, Dec. 21, 9 a.m.

Kamehameha Avenue and the Bayfront Highway in are now open to all traffic.

UPDATE 5: Dec. 21, 4:35 a.m.

The Flash Flood Watch for the Big Island has been extended through this afternoon.

UPDATE 4: Dec. 20, 8:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service has downgraded the Warning to a Flash Flood Watch.

A Flash Flood Watch means flooding is still possible.

Rainy conditions are forecasted throughout tonight. Be on the alert for possible reoccurrence of heavy rains and flooding conditions.

Department of Public Works reports all roads are now open except Kukila Street in Hilo. Be aware that additional road closures may occur without notice.

A High Surf Advisory is in effect for the east-facing shores of Kohala, Hamakua, Hilo and Puna.

A Winter Storm Warning also remains in effect for Hawai‘i Island summits.

UPDATE 3: Dec. 20, 6 p.m.

The National Weather Service extended a Flash Flood Warning for Hawai‘i Island through tonight.

A Flash Flood Warning means dangerous flooding is occurring or imminent, and may pose a threat to life and property. Heavy showers are expected to continue through tonight.

Due to the Flash Flood Warning, the following advisories are issued:

Hawai‘i County Police and Public Works Departments report Kamehameha Avenue, Pauahi Street, Railroad Avenue and Kukila Street in Hilo are closed. Avoid these areas and use alternate routes.

Due to occasional heavy downpours, driving conditions are poor.

Be on the alert for additional possible road closures.

Expect possible interruptions in your utility services.

Be on the alert for malfunctioning traffic signals. Please treat flashing traffic lights as a four-way stop.

If lightning does threaten your area, the safest place to be is indoors.

UPDATE 2: Dec. 20, 5:35 p.m

The Flash Flood Warning for the Big Island is in effect until 8:30 p.m.

At 5:30 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over several areas of  the Big Island, including the Hilo district, with the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency reporting localized flooding leading to road closures in Hilo.

Drivers are asked to avoid Kamehameha Avenue between Manono Street and Ponahawai Streets in Hilo due to flooding. Pauahi Street is closed at the Aupuni Street intersection. Use alternate routes and drive with caution.

Additional heavy rain is impacting the south Kona and Ka‘ū Districts, with rainfall rates near 2 inches per hour expected to lead to flash flooding.

If heavy rain continues, the highway near Kawa Flats in the Ka‘ū District may flood later this evening.

Locations in the warning include but are not limited to: Hilo, Hakalau, Wainaku, Honomu, Na‘alehu, Pahala, Wood Valley, Pepe‘ekeo and Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.

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 8:30 p.m. if heavy rain  persists.

UPDATE: Dec. 20, 4:21 p.m.

A Flood Advisory is in effect for all of Hawai‘i County until 7:15 p.m.

At 4:25 p.m., radar indicated moderate to heavy showers over many  areas of the Big Island, with rainfall especially heavy over the south Kona and Ka‘ū Districts.

Additional heavy rain is affecting the Kohala and Hilo Districts, with rainfall rates between 1 and 2 inches per hour in the heaviest showers.

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 7:15 p.m. if heavy rain persists.

A Flash Flood Watch, Winter Storm Warning and High Surf Advisory are also in effect (see below).

ORIGINAL POST: Dec. 20, 2:31 p.m.

A Flash Flood Watch, Winter Storm Warning and High Surf Advisory are in effect for Hawai‘i Island.

The National Weather Service Flash Flood Watch and Winter Storm Warning remains in effect through tomorrow for the Island of Hawaii.

A Flash Flood Watch means flooding is possible. Due to the Flash Flood Watch, you are advised to be on the alert for the possibility of heavy rains, thunder, lightning and flooding conditions today through tomorrow.

A Winter Storm Warning means severe winter weather conditions are occurring from 12,000-foot elevation. Up to 12 inches of snow are expected at the summits.

The National Weather Service has issued a High Surf Advisory today through tomorrow for east-facing shores of Kohala, Hamakua, Hilo and Puna.

A High Surf Advisory means there is a threat to life and property from the surf. The highest threat will coincide with the high tides, which occur at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20, and 5:15 a.m. tomorrow morning.

Due to these advisories, the following are issued until further notice:

• Oceanfront residents and beachgoers along the affected shores are advised to be on the alert for high and dangerous surf.
• Boat owners and oceanfront residents should take action to secure their property before nightfall.
• Closures of roads and beaches may occur without notice.
• As in all severe weather conditions, expect possible interruptions in your utility services.
• Should power outages occur, be on the alert for malfunctioning traffic signals. Please treat flashing traffic lights as a four-way stop.
• If lightning does threaten your area, the safest place to be is indoors.