UPDATE: Strong Thunderstorms, Flood Advisory for Parts of Big Island

UPDATE: 4:55 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flood Advisory for Hawai‘i County
until 8 p.m.

At 4:53 p.m., radar indicated a nearly stationary thunderstorm producing very heavy rain near Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.

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 Na‘alehu, Pahala, Wood Valley, Kawa Flats, Hawaiian Ocean View, Punalu‘u Beach and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

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 8 p.m. if heavy rain persists.

ORIGINAL POST, 3:37

A line of strong thunderstorms will affect Hawai‘i County, the National Weather Service reported at 3:15 p.m. Monday, March  19, 2018.

At 3:14 p.m. HST, radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 6 miles east of Kalaoa to near Hawaiian Ocean View. Movement was northeast at 10 mph.

Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with these storms.

Locations impacted include Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook, Waikoloa Village, Na‘alehu, Honaunau,
Kahalu‘u-Keauhou, Kealakekua, Kawa Flats, Puako, Pohakuloa Camp, Pu‘uanahulu, Kainaliu, Honalo, Pahala, Wood Valley, Kalaoa, Hawaiian Ocean View, Pōhakuloa Training Area, Punaluu Beach and Holualoa.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with these storms and may cause localized flooding.

Do not drive your vehicle through flooded
roadways.

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.

These storms may intensify.