What you need to know about the kona low Saturday on the Big Island: Flash flood warning extended again for Puna, Ka‘ū

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

A powerful Kona low continues sweeping through the Hawaiian Islands, bringing strong winds and heavy flooding rainfall.

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

About 19,000 Hawaiian Electric customers in Puna, North and South Kona, North Kohala and South Point are without power as of this morning (March 14).

Weather conditions also are still expected to escalate further despite a lull in activity here or there.

National Weather Service reported in its 7 a.m. briefing today that storm impacts are still forecast to include major flooding, including flash flooding; damaging winds; and severe thunderstorms.

Very strong wind gusts were already reported in Kona overnight Friday (March 13) into today. Rain also will focus over the Big Island through Sunday night (March 15).

Ka‘ū, Puna, Kohala and Kona, especially, should be prepared for the worst impacts, including flash flooding and poor driving conditions.

Current weather advisories

Flash flood warning: Now in effect until 2 p.m. today as radar and automated rain gauges indicated at 10:07 a.m. heavy rain continues to impact along the southeast slopes of Puna and Ka‘ū, falling at 1 to 2 inches per hour, with flash flooding ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

Flooding in drainages, streams, rivers, roads, properties and other low-lying areas is expected. Additional public road closures are possible in some areas, and there is a continued threat of potential landslides in locations with steep terrain.

Some locations continuing to 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, 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.

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; combined with strong currents, swimming and other ocean activities along south-facing shores dangerous. Heed all advice from safety officials. 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, with gusts up to 70 mph, are now expected through Sunday evening (March 15) as the high wind warning in effect for lower elevations of the Big Island was extended by the National Weather Service. Areas most at risk are communities north and east of steep mountain terrain, including Kona and Ka‘ū. Southwest winds of 55 to 75 mph, with gusts up to 110 mph, are also forecast through Sunday evening for the Big Island summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.

Winter storm warning: Extended until 6 a.m. Monday (March 16) for summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa above 12,000 feet elevation. Blizzard conditions are possible, with additional snow accumulation of 12 to 20 inches and winds potentially gusting to more than 100 mph. Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility, with periods of zero visibility at times.

Power outages: It’s all hands on deck at Hawaiian Electric for power restoration today amid ongoing severe weather related to the kona low still moving through the state. Ongoing severe weather is hampering efforts to restore power to about 19,000 customers in Puna, North and South Kona, North Kohala and South Point. Hawaiian Electric is prioritizing areas based on transmission impacts and critical infrastructure.

Water restriction

Hawai‘i County Department of Water Supply asks customers effective immediately in North and South Kona, North Kohala, Pāhoa and Mountain View to restrict water use to essential needs only because of current and anticipated prolonged power outages.

Customers islandwide also are asked to conserve water during the storm.

The county Water Supply Department relies on Hawaiian Electric power to operate wells and booster pumps to distribute water. Backup generators are used at a limited number of well sites, but these emergency generators cannot fully replicate Hawaiian Electric’s power grid.

An extended power outage because of the storm and adverse weather could deplete portions of the department’s water systems and leave customers with low pressure or no water.

To reach the DWS, please Call 808-961-8050 during normal business hours, 808-961-8790 for after-hour emergencies or email to dws@hawaiidws.org.

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 of flooding.
• Waipi‘o Valley Road in Hāmākua is open to residents and farmers only.
• Wood Valley Road in Pāhala in Ka‘ū because of flooding.
• Highway 11, between the 62 and 56 mile markers, because of flooding; no alternate routes available. Barricades placed in areas where moving water is passing over the road.
• Kohala Mountain Road, also known as Highway 250, tree down at 20-mile marker. State crew responding.
• Highways 190, 11 and 130: Fallen trees cleared.
• Highway 130 near 3-mile marker barricades in place because of ponding on the highway.

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 many 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 today. Check the Hele-On X page for updates. Call 808-640-1020 for additional paratransit updates.
• Camping permits at all Hawai‘i County parks are canceled through Monday morning (March 16).

Big Island summits

Maunakea Visitor Information Station updated shortly before 7 a.m. today on its Facebook page that stormy conditions are reported on Mauna Kea’s summit this morning, with 77 mph winds and 96 mph gusts — “down from 118mph!!!”

Click here to check current weather conditions.

The summit access road is closed; road crews were assessing the situation to determine if it is safe to go up and clear the snow and ice from the roadway.

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.