UPDATE: Flood Warning Extended for Big Island

UPDATE: 11:05 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has extended the flood advisory for the island of Hawai‘i until 2:45 a.m.

At 11:05 p.m., radar indicated pockets of heavy rain just north of Miloli‘i and along the Hāmākua coast between ‘O‘ōkala and Waipi‘o Valley and east of Hawi. Rain was falling at a rate up to two inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Kailua-Kona, Hōnaunau, Pu‘uanahulu, Kawaihae, Kamuela, Waipi‘o Valley, Hawi, Pepe‘ekeo, Pahala and Volcano.

UPDATE: 10:47 p.m.

At 10:44 p.m., a strong thunderstorm was approaching the Leeward Big Island coast, near or just north of Milolii, moving northeast at five to 20 mph.

Pea size hail and winds up to 40 mph are possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include Captain Cook, Hōnaunau, Hawaiian Ocean View, Miloli‘i and Hawai‘i Volcanoes Park Kahuku Unit.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

UPDATE: 8:58 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has extended the flood advisory for…
The island of Hawai‘i in Hawai‘i County until 11:45 p.m.

At 8:50 p.m., radar indicated a few pockets of moderate of heavy rain occurring mainly across the leeward side of the island, north of Kailua-Kona town to Kamuela to Honoka‘a. The heavier rain was falling at a rate of one to two inches an hour.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Nā‘ālehu, Pa‘auilo, Waipi‘o Valley, Orchidlands Estates, Hawi, Pepe‘ekeo, Kea‘au, Hōnaunau, Kamuela and Kawaihae.

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 11:45 p.m. if heavy rain persists.

UPDATE: 7:23 p.m.

Special Weather Statement:

The National Weather Service in Honolulu states that a strong thunderstorm will affect Hawai‘i.

At 7:20 p.m., a strong thunderstorm was located over Kukuihaele, moving northeast at five to 10 mph.

Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with this storm.

Locations impacted include Kapa‘au, Honoka‘a, Pa‘auilo, Waipi‘o Valley, Kukuihaele, Hawi, Kamuela, Poloūu Valley, ‘O‘ōkala, Kohala Ranch, Hala‘ula, Waimanu Valley, Kawaihae and Māhukona.

Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

UPDATE: 7:15 p.m.

The National Weather Services is extending the Flash Flood Warning for the island of Hawai‘i in Hawai‘i County until 10 p.m.

At 7:06 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain along the windward slopes of the Kohala Mountains. The most intense rainfall was from Waipi‘o Valley to Honoka‘a with rates of around 4 inches per hour.

Heavy rainfall may continue along the Hāmākua Coast for several hours.

Locations in the warning include but are not limited to Pololū Valley, Waipi‘o Valley, Kukuihaele, Kohala Ranch, Hawi, Hala‘ula, Kamuela, Kapa‘au, Waimanu Valley and Honoka‘a.

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 10 p.m. if heavy rain persists.

This flash flood warning replaces the previously issued flood advisory that was in effect for portions of the island of Hawai‘i in Hawai‘i County.

UPDATE: 6:00 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for the island of Hawai‘i in Hawai‘i County until 6:30 p.m.

At 5:57 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located nine miles south of Pu‘uanahulu, moving northeast at 30 mph.

Radar indicated gusts up to 60 mph. Expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Locations impacted include Kailua-Kona, Kealakekua, Honalo, Pōhakuloa Camp, Pu‘uanahulu,
Kalaoa, Hōnaunau, Pōhakuloa Training Area, Kainaliu, Hōlualoa, Kahalu‘u-Keauhou and Captain Cook.

For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. Stay away from windows.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with this storm, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

Due to the Severe Thunderstorm Warning, the following advisories are issued:

• High winds are expected; take necessary precautions.
• Be aware of lightning; the best place to be is indoors.
• 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.

UPDATE: 5:10 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for The island of Hawai‘i in Hawai‘i County until 6 p.m.

At 5:01 p.m., severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 24 miles northwest of Kona International Airport to nine miles northwest of Miloli‘i, moving northeast at 25 mph.

Radar indicated 60 mph wind gusts and residents can expect damage to roofs, siding and trees.

Locations impacted include: Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook, Pu‘uanahulu, Hōnaunau, Kawaihae, Kahalu‘u-Keauhou, Kainaliu, Waikoloa Village, Kealakekua, Honalo, Kohala Ranch and Kalaoa.

UPDATE: 2:32 p.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory for the Island of Hawai‘i through this evening.

Heaviest rains were currently over the Saddle area and Hāmākua Districts.

Heavy showers and lightning are forecast through Monday.

Take necessary precautions when in these conditions.

UPDATE: 1:51 p.m.

A Flood Advisory for the island of Hawai‘i in Hawai‘i County is in effect until 4:45 p.m.

At 1:46 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain continuing over the Big Island.

The heaviest rain is now falling over the Saddle area and the Hāmākua District, with rainfall rates up to three inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Hilo, Na‘alehu, Pa‘auilo, Waipio Valley, Orchidland Estates, Kukuihaele, Hawi, Pepe‘ekeo, Kea‘au, Kamuela, Honoka‘a and O‘okala.

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 4:45 p.m. if heavy rain persists.

This advisory replaces the previously issued advisory that was in effect for portions of Hawai‘i County.

A Flash Flood Watch remains in effect.

ORIGINAL POST

The National Weather Service announces a Flood Advisory for the island of Hawai‘i in Hawai‘i County until 3:30 p.m.

At 12:23 p.m., radar indicated heavy showers and thunderstorms moving over the Big Island from the southeast, affecting portions of the Ka‘ū, Puna and South Hilo districts. Rain was falling at a rate of two to three inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Hilo, Hawaiian Acres, Na‘alehu, Orchidlands Estates, Glenwood, Hakalau, Pepe‘ekeo, Kea‘au, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Volcano, Pahala and Wood Valley.

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 3:30 p.m. if heavy rain persists.

A Flash Flood Watch is also in effect.