Flood Advisory Extended to 8 p.m.

UPDATE: The advisory has again been extended, this time until 8 pm. It was formerly in effect through 5 pm. 

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has extended the Flood Advisory for Hawai‘i County until 8 pm.

At 1:42 p.m., radar and rain gauges indicated heavy rain continuing over the South Hilo and Puna Districts on the Big Island. The highest rain rates of one to two inches per hour were over the lower slopes of the Puna District from Kalapana to Kapoho. Rainfall over the Ka‘ū District has been easing. Rainfall will continue for several hours as more rain moves ashore from the southeast.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Volcano, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Wood Valley, Glenwood, Pahala, Mountain View, Punalu‘u Beach, Hawaiian Acres, Kawa Flats, Pohakuloa Training Area, Orchidland Estates, Kea‘au, Nā‘ālehu, Pāhoa, Papaikou, Pepe‘ekeo and Honomū.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

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. A Flash Flood Watch is also in effect for Hawai‘i County until 6 a.m., March 10.

This advisory may need to be extended beyond 5 PM HST if flooding persists.