Heavy rains move through North Hawaiʻi

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a flood advisory in effect until 1 a.m. Jan. 28 for portions of North Hawaiʻi because of heavy rains expected to cause flooding on roads and in poor drainage areas and streams.

Radar indicated at 10:06 p.m. Jan. 27 heavy rain falling over the Hāmākua Coast and leeward Kohala areas, falling from near Hāwī to Hakalau and near Kawaihae to just north of Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, at a rate of 1 to 2 inches an hour.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Waikōloa, Kapaʻau, Honokaʻa, Waimea, Waipiʻo Valley, Waimanu Valley, Kukuihaele, Kawaihae, Puakō, Kohala Ranch, Pololū Valley, Puʻu Anahulu, Paʻauilo, Pōhakuloa Training Area, Halaʻula, Hāwī, ʻŌʻōkala, Laupāhoehoe, Kalaoa and Nīnole.

The public is advised to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.