UPDATE 4: High Wind Warning Remains in Effect for Big Island Summits

UPDATE 4, March 25, 7:42 a.m.

The National Weather Service has cancelled all advisories and warnings except for High Winds on the mountain summits. All roads and beach parks are open and facilities will operate normal hours.

UPDATE 3, March 24, 8:54 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has extended the Flood Advisory for the Big Island until 11:45 p.m.

At 849 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain near Na‘alehu. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 inch per hour.

Elevated water levels in local area streams will continue for the next few hours.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Hawaiian Acres, Na‘alehu, Orchidlands Estates, Glenwood, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Volcano, Pahala, Wood Valley, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kawa Flats, Pāhoa and Hawaiian Ocean View.

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.

UPDATE 2: March 24, 8:21 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu forecasts locally strong and gusty winds over the Big Island this evening.

Expect a brief period of strong and gusty winds over the Big Island  this evening as the low pressure system moves through the island.

Locally strong winds are possible over the next few hours with sustained winds in the 20 to 30 mph range along with higher gusts  from 40 to 50 mph especially over and along the western slopes of  mountain ridges and saddles.

UPDATE: March 24, 5:46 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has extended the Flood Advisory for Hawai‘i County until 9 p.m.

At 5:40 p.m., radar showed moderate to heavy rainfall continuing  over the south half of the Big Island. Most of the rainfall was occurring over the slopes of the Kau and South Kona Districts from South Point to Kailua-Kona.

The highest rain rates were around 1 to 2 inches per hour near Captain Cook.

Additional rainfall should continue to move over the Big Island from the south for several  more hours.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Na‘alehu, Kea‘au, Honaunau, Kealakekua, Pāhoa, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.

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 p.m. if heavy rain persists.

A Flash Flood Watch is also in effect for Hawai‘i County through late tonight.

ORIGINAL POST: March 24, 2018, 3:20 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a Flood Advisory for the Big Island at 3:08 p.m. on Saturday, March 24 2018 until 6 p.m.

At 3:02 p.m., radar indicated that moderate to heavy rainfall is developing over the south half of the Big Island.

The highest intensities of 1 to 2 inches per hour were over the South Kona and Ka‘ū Districts from South Point to Kainaliu.

Bands of heavy rainfall were also moving toward the Ka‘ūand Puna slopes from the south.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Na‘alehu, Kea‘au, Honaunau, Kealakekua, Pāhoa, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park and Hawaiian Ocean View Estates.

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 6 p.m. if heavy rain persists.

A Flash Flood Watch is also in effect for Hawai‘i County through tonight.