Update: Big Island officially weathers major winter storm

This story was updated at 4:52 p.m. Jan. 31.

Update at 3:45 p.m. Jan. 31: It’s official. The Big Island has weathered the storm.

Some showers and rain lingered over the island into late this afternoon, but flooding was no longer expected to pose a threat and National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu canceled the flood watch that was supposed to be in effect through the rest of today.

The flood watch was the first advisory to be issued in anticipation of the major winter storm that moved through the Hawaiian Islands during the past couple of days.

Hawaiʻi County was the only island in the state left under a flood watch after conditions improved in Maui County enough for it to be canceled there by just after 6 a.m. today.

All other weather advisories — save for a high wind warning for Big Island summits — were also previously canceled or allowed to expire earlier Friday as the major winter storm that brought heavy rains, strong winds and strong to severe thunderstorms, some of which were capable of producing waterspouts and wind gusts of 50 mph or more, moved away from the state by mid-afternoon.

Even the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa — which were forecast to have the possibility of getting up to 2 feet of snow — were seeing some reprieve as the winter storm warning previously in place was canceled with the threat of impactful winter weather coming to an end by this afternoon.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense said in a 12:28 p.m. update message today that because of the improved conditions:

• All 7 emergency shelters that were opened Thursday afternoon closed at noon today.
• County park facilities and camping would remain closed until Saturday.
• If your commercial or residential property experienced damages related to the storm, report them to Civil Defense on the agency’s website or by calling 808-935-0031.

All Hele-On Bus routes previously canceled because of inclement weather resumed service as of 10:30 a.m. today.

Hawaiʻi Department of Education reported 6 public schools in South Kona were closed today because of major flooding causing accessibility issues on their campuses:

• Ho‘okena Elementary.
• Hōnaunau Elementary.
• Konawaena Elementary.
• Konawaena Middle.
• Konawaena High.
• Ke Kula ʻO ʻEhunuikaimalino.

And despite the improved weather conditions, if the water is brown, turn around.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Health Clean Water Branch issued a brown water advisory for the entire island because of heavy rains and stormwater running off, entering into coastal waters.

“The public is advised to stay out of flood waters and stormwater runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals and associated flood debris,” said state health officials in their notification.

Not all coastal areas could be impacted, but if the water appears brown or murky, the public is advised to stay out. Also continue to practice good personal hygiene and follow up with your primary care physician if you have any health concerns.

Avoid swimming, wading in or drinking water from any freshwater streams or ponds to prevent the bacterial infection leptospirosis.

Officials recommend staying out of the water for 48 to 72 hours after the rain has stopped and after the beach has received full sunshine.

Hawaiian Electric worked throughout the night Thursday into today, reducing the number of power outages its customers on O‘ahu and in Maui and Hawai‘i counties to about 10,800 as of 9 a.m., down from 39,500 at 8 p.m. Thursday night.

Fewer than 200 customers on the Big Island were still without power as of 4 p.m., in pockets of Hilo, Honoka‘a, Kohala, Holualoa, Hōnaunau, Kealakehe, Konawaena, Ka‘ū, Pahala, and Nā‘ālehu.

The majority of the outages were in the upper and lower Puna areas. 

Restoration efforts continued and are progressing despite the severe weather earlier today on the Big Island. There were just 1,893 customers on the island without power as of about 3:20 p.m. today, according to independent organization FindEnergy.com.

“We appreciate the public’s continued patience as our employees work as quickly and safely as possible to restore all of our customers,” said Jim Alberts, Hawaiian Electric senior vice president and chief operations officer.

About 200 Hawaiian Electric crews and contractors continue inspections and repairs to address the remaining outages, many caused by downed trees and weather-related debris blown into power lines.

Update at 9:57 a.m. Jan. 31: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued new speical marine warnings for southeast and windward waters off the Big Island until 10:30 a.m. and windward waters until 11 a.m., with swirling columns of water now a possibility as strong to severe thunderstorms continue moving to the northeast.

Portions of Lower Puna also were being battered by a strong thunderstorm, with wind gusts of up to 40 mph capable of knocking down tree limbs and blowing around unsecured objects.

The storm was expected to impact locations including Pāhoa, Leilani Estates, Isaac Hale Beach Park, Nānāwale Estates, Hawaiian Beaches and Kalapana until about 10:15 a.m.

Radar indicated at 9:25 a.m. severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts were located along a line extending to the southeast along a line off Puna and Kaʻū, moving northeast at 35 knots (about 40 mph). Wind gusts of 34 knots (about 40 mph) or stronger also have been observed.

Additional severe thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts also were indicated on radar at 9:52 a.m. located along a line extending from near Cape Kumukahi in Lower Puna to about 6 nautical miles southeast of a fish aggregating device, or FAD, buoy. They were moving northeast at 35 knots and also producing wind gusts of 34 knots or stronger.

Waterspouts form suddenly. They can easily overturn boats and create locally hazardous seas. Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves.

Locations impacted include Cape Kumukahi in Lower Puna and a fish aggregating device, or FAD, buoy in the waters covered by the warning.

Seafarers and the public should prepare for gusty winds, steep and fast-building seas and blinding downpours. Stay low or go below, and make sure — if you are on a vessel in the affected waters — all of those aboard are wearing life jackets.

If you encounter a waterspout, seek safe harbor immediately.

Original post from 9 a.m. Jan. 31: The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a special marine warning for southeast and windward waters of the Big Island until 9:30 a.m. as hazardous weather conditions related to a strong winter weather continue to impact the island and the waters around it.

Radar indicated at 8:33 a.m. strong thunderstorms located along a line extending southeast over waters off the Puna and Kaʻū districts, producing wind gusts of 34 knots (about 40 mph) or stronger, moving east at 20 knots (about 23 mph).

Small craft could be damaged in briefly higher winds and suddenly higher waves.

Locations impacted include will include Cape Kumukahi in Lower Puna and several fish aggregating device, or FAD, buoy areas.

Seafarers and the public should prepare for gusty winds, steep and fast-building seas and blinding downpours. Stay low or go below, and make sure — if you are on a vessel in the affected waters — all of those aboard are wearing life jackets.

A flash flood warning also remains in effect until 11 a.m. for portions of North and South Kohala, North and South Kona, Kaʻū and Puna.