What you need to know about the kona low Friday on the Big Island

Editor’s note: This page will be continuously updated throughout the day.

A powerful Kona low is sweeping down the Hawaiian Islands this weekend, bringing strong winds and heavy flooding rainfall.

A flood watch and high wind warning remain in place for all of Hawai‘i Island, and now a flash flood warning for Puna and Ka‘ū and high surf advisory for south-facing shores of the island.

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense reported earlier today (March 13) weather conditions are expected to escalate further through the weekend.

Ka‘ū, Puna, Kohala and Kona should prepare for possible damaging winds and poor driving conditions.

Current weather advisories

Flash flood warning: The National Weather Service in Honolulu extended the flash flood warning in effect for Puna and Ka‘ū until 12:30 a.m. Saturday (March 14). Radar indicated at 9:17 p.m. Friday heavy rain falling at 2 to 3 inches an hour over both districts.

Locations along the southeast slopes of the island were experiencing the heaviest rainfall. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

Public road closures are possible in some areas, and there is potential for landslides in areas with steep terrain.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding: Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Wood Valley, Pāhala, Volcano, Glenwood, Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach, Kawa Flats, Mountain View, Nāʻālehu, Hawaiian Acres, Orchidland Estates, Kea‘au, Pāhoa, Hawaiian Ocean View, Fern Forest, Eden Roc, Fern Acres and Waiʻōhinu.

Hawai‘i County Civil Defense advises:

• Flooding is life-threatening.
• All residents in flood-prone areas should remain on alert for possible flooding. Move to high ground as necessary.
• Drive with caution. Be on alert for runoff, ponding of water, debris and poor visibility.
• Do not attempt to cross flowing water in a vehicle or on foot; turn around, don’t drown.
• Road closures could be instituted with little or no warning.
• Remember: if lightning threatens your area, the safest place to be is indoors.

Be especially cautious at night, when it is harder to recognize flooding danger.

High surf advisory: Gale force southerly winds will create large and rough surf along south shoreline of the Big Island through early Saturday evening. Large breaking waves of 8 to 12 feet are expected along those shorelines that combined with strong currents will make swimming and other ocean activities dangerous. The public should heed all advice from ocean safety officials. Remember: when in doubt, don’t go out.

Flood watch: In effect islandwide through Sunday night (March 15).

High wind warning: Southwest winds of 30 to 40 mph expected, with gusts up to 60 mph, through Sunday morning (March 15) for lower elevations of the island. Areas most at risk are communities north and east of steep mountain slopes, including Kona and Ka‘ū, Southwest winds of 55 to 75 mph, with gusts up to 110 mph, are also forecast through Sunday night for the Big Island summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

Winter storm warning: In effect for Big Island summits until 6 p.m. Saturday (March 14). Blizzard conditions are possible, with winds gusting as high as 110 mph and total snow accumulation of 12 to 18 inches.

Open emergency shelters

• Puʻuʻeo Community Center, 145 Wainaku St., Hilo.

• Panaʻewa Park, 100 Ohuohu St., Hilo.

• Papāʻaloa Park Annex, 35-1994 Government Main Road, Papāʻaloa.

• Honokaʻa Gym, 45-541 Lehua St. Honokaʻa.

• Waimea Community Center, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, Waimea.

• Ikuo Hisaoka Gymnasium, 54-382 Kamehameha Park Road, Kapaʻau.

• Waikōloa Elementary School cafeteria, 68-1730 Hooko St., Waikōloa.

• Kekuaokalani Gym, 75-5500 Kuakini Highway, Kailua-Kona.

• Yano Hall, 82-6156 Māmalahoa Highway, Captain Cook.

• Nāʻālehu Community Center, 95-5635 Hawaiʻi Belt Road, Nāʻālehu.

• Robert N. Herkes Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pāhala.

• Pāhoa Neighborhood Facility, 15-2910 Kauhale St., Pāhoa.

Residents and visitors using a shelter should bring their own supplies, including sleeping bags, food, water, necessary medications and pet food.

All shelters, except Waikōloa Elementary School, are pet-friendly. Pets must be kept in a crate or carrier.

Road closures

• Kaʻalāiki Road (Cane Haul Road) in Ka‘ū between Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu closed because o flooding.
•  Waipi‘o Valley Road open to residents and farmers only.

Closures and cancellations

• All Hawai‘i County offices closed through Saturday for all nonemergency services
• All Hawai‘i County beach parks
• All Hawai‘i County transfer stations, solid waste facilities and landfills. County officials ask and urge residents to not leave rubbish at the closed transfer stations.
• Hilo Municipal Golf Course
• Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens
• All Hawai‘i state parks; visit the Hawaiʻi State Parks web page for updates about storm-related closures.
• Several areas inside Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, including Mauna Loa summit
• All Hawai‘i public libraries
• All public and charter schools as well as all University of Hawai’i campuses statewide
• Hawaiʻi Judiciary facilities and services, as well as state offices 
• All fixed route Hele-On buses and paratransit services are canceled Saturday. Fixed route cancellations and modifications for Friday can be found on the Hele-On X page. Call 808-640-1020 for additional pararansit updates.
• Camping permits at all Hawai‘i County parks are canceled through Monday morning (March 16).

Stay informed

Hawaiʻi County will provide updates as conditions evolve. Residents can receive emergency notifications by signing up for Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense alerts.

View the Hawaiʻi County Hazard Impact Map for additional weather-related information.

Stay updated about weather by visiting the Big Island Now weather page and the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office website.