Update: Flood advisory canceled for parts of Hāmākua, Hilo

Update at 10:14 p.m. Jan. 24: The National Weather Service in Honolulu canceled the flood advisory that was in effect for portions of the Hāmākua and Hilo districts in East Hawaiʻi.

Radar shows heavy rain has diminished and flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat.

Original post from 9:20 p.m. Jan. 24: Heavy rain falling over north and east parts of windward Big Island, specifically areas of the Hāmākua and Hilo districts hugging the East Hawaiʻi coast, is causing flooding on roads and in poor drainage areas and streams.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu issued a flood advisory in effect until 10:45 p.m. tonight for those areas.

Radar indicated at 8:23 p.m. that rain continued to fall at 1 to 2 inches an hour over the north and east slopes of the island, with some of the heavier showers and thunderstorms being driven offshore because of downsloping mountain breezes.

Some locations that will likely experience flooding during the advisory period include Hilo, Honoka’a, Laupāhoehoe, Nīnole, ʻŌʻōkala, Hakalau, Honomū, Pepeʻekeo, Paʻauilo, Pāpaʻikou, Paukaʻa and Wainaku.

A flood advisory means minor flooding is imminent or occurring.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense alerted the public that because of the flood advisory:

• Flooding can be life-threatening. Residents in flood-prone areas should remain alert for flooding conditions.
• Drive with caution. Be on alert for runoff, ponding water, debris and poor visibility.
• Do not attempt to cross flowing water in a vehicle or on foot; turn around, don’t drown.
• Remember, if lightning threatens your area, the safest place to be is indoors.