Flood advisory issued as moderate to locally heavy rainfall soaks parts of East Hawai‘i

Steady periods of moderate to locally heavy rainfall are causing a soggy Sunday for parts of East Hawai‘i, bringing along the chance for flooding.

National Weather Service forecasters in Honolulu issued a flood advisory in effect until 2:45 p.m. Sunday, May 17) for areas in Puna and Kaʻū. Flooding on roads and in poor drainage areas and streams can be expected.

Radar indicated at 11:31 a.m. the heaviest rain — falling at a rate of up to 1 to 1.5 inches an hour — was moving over Pāhoa and Kealakomo, with additional heavy rain showers forecast through the next few hours.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Hawaiian Paradise Park, Pāhoa, Hawaiian Acres, Orchidland Estates, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Kalapana, ʻĀinaloa, Leilani Estates, Fern Acres, Eden Roc, Fern Forest, Nānāwale Estates, Hawaiian Beaches, Isaac Hale Beach Park and the former Kapoho area.

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