What you need to know about the Kona storm Friday on the Big Island

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

A Kona low storm is sweeping down the Hawaiian Islands this weekend, bringing wind and rain. A flood watch and wind advisory remain in place for all districts on Hawai‘i Island, with conditions expected to escalate through the weekend, according to the latest message from the Hawai‘i County Civil Defense Agency this morning.

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

Current weather advisories

Flood advisory: In effect islandwide until 2:30 p.m. today.

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

Wind advisory for lower elevations: Southwest winds of 25 to 35 mph expected with gusts of 50 mph. In effect until Sunday morning (March 15).

Winter storm warning: In effect for Big Island summits until 6 p.m. on Saturday (March 14).

High wind warning: Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa are also under a high wind warning until 6 p.m. on March 15.

Special marine warning: In effect until 12:15 p.m.

Special marine warning: In effect until 1:30 p.m. between Maui and Hawai‘i Island in the Alenuihaha Channel.

Shelters opening at noon

• 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., Waikoloa.

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

Road closures

• Kaalaiki Road(Cane haul Road) in Ka‘ū between Pāhala and Nā‘ālehu is closed due to flooding.

Closures and cancellations

• Hawai‘i County offices: closed for all non-emergency services through Saturday
• County parks
• County transfer stations
• County landfills
• Hilo Municipal Golf Course
• Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens
• All county solid waste facilities
• All Hawai‘i State Parks are closed. Visit the Hawaiʻi State Parks web page for updates about storm-related park closures.
• Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park has also reported closures, including Mauna Loa Summit.
• All Hawai‘i Public Libraries are closed.
• All public and charter schools are closed.
• Hawaiʻi Judiciary facilities and services, as well as state offices, are closed. 
• All fixed route Hele-On buses and Paratransit services are canceled on Saturday. Fixed route cancellations and modifications for Friday can be viewed on the Hele-On X page or by calling 808-961-8744, ext. 1. Call 808-640-1020 for additional paratransit updates.
• Camping permits at county parks also are canceled from Friday through Monday morning (March 16).

Stay informed

Hawaiʻi County will provide updates as conditions evolve. Residents can also 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 up-to-date on weather by visiting https://bigislandnow.com/weather/.