What you need to know about the kona low Sunday on Big Island: Several roads remain shuttered; flash flood warning extended

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. The entire Big Island was put under a flash flood warning shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday, March 14, as heavy rains continued their inundation.

Hawaiʻi County officials said residents should continue to avoid all unnecessary travel as significant risks of flash flooding and strong, locally damaging winds .

Later Saturday night they asked — and urged — people to shelter at home for safety reasons and allow response crews work safely on cleanup efforts without having to worry about anyone in their way.

The storm produced heavy rainfall and strong wind gusts Saturday throughout large areas of Hawaiʻi Island, as well as flash floods that closed multiple sections of Highway 11 in Kaʻū. causing the county to urge residents in those areas to shelter in place.

Some areas in Kaʻū received 10 to 15 inches of rain in 24 hours. Moderate to heavy rainfall was expected to remain in place over Kaʻū through Saturday evening, leading to significant flash flooding.

Heavy rainfall and strong winds also caused road closures and property damage Saturday in Puna, Kona and Kohala.

Peak wind gusts of between 50 to 60 mph, with a few locations seeing gusts up to about 70 mph.

Hawaiʻi Fire Department personnel rescued three residents from a flooded home near Whittington Beach Park. They were relocated Saturday to the Nāʻālehu shelter. Big Island first responders also rescued two visitors from a stranded vehicle near South Point.

A high-water vehicle from Hawaiʻi National Guard was sent to Nāʻālehu Fire Station to assist with emergency response.

A flood watch and high wind warning remain in place for all of Hawai‘i Island, and flash flood warnings for Puna and Ka‘ū as well as the Kona area. A high surf advisory for south-facing shores of the island also remains in effect.

“County of Hawaiʻi crews and our state partners are working hard to reopen roads and keep our residents safe,” said Hawaiʻi County Mayor Kimo Alameda in a weather update. “The risk of flash flooding and strong, damaging winds remain[s] through Sunday, and we urge residents to avoid all nonessential travel for the rest of the weekend.”

Weather conditions could escalate further with bands of heavy showers continuing Sunday to move over Hawaiʻi Island. Areas with the highest potential rainfall are in Kona, Kaʻū and Kohala.

Strong wind gusts could also continue Sunday, particularly in Kona and Puna.

Current weather advisories

Flash flood warning: Extended; now in effect until 6 a.m. Sunday, March 15, for the entire Big Island. Emergency management officials continue to report widespread flooding impacts and road closers around the island.

Rain continued to fall at 1 to 2 inches an hour in some locations, with additional heavy rain possible.

“Emergency management officials are asking residents and visitors to shelter in place for this life-threatening event, keeping roadways clear for emergency responders,” said the National Weather Service Honolulu forecast office in its latest warning notification.

Significant and life-threatening flooding is expected in drainages, streams, rivers, roads, properties and other low-lying areas. Multiple public road closures are also expected, as well as the possibility for landslides in areas with steep terrain.

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: New. In effect until 6 p.m. today for west-facing shores of the Big Island as strong south to southwesterly winds will produce large and rough surf of 7 to 10 feet. Combined with strong currents along those western shorelines, swimming and other ocean activities will be dangerous. When in doubt, don’t go out.

Flood watch: In effect islandwide through Sunday night, March 15. Click on the embedded link to learn more.

High wind warning: Canceled for lower elevations of the Big Island early Sunday morning. High wind warning remains in effect, however, until 6 p.m. today for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Southwest winds of 80 to 100 mph are forecast. Click on the embedded link to learn more.

Wind Advisory: New. In effect until 6 p.m. Sunday for most of the Big Island, taking the place of the canceled high wind warning. Southwest winds of 20 to 30 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph, are forecast. The public is advised to watch out for falling tree branches, make sure tents and awnings are secure or taken down and be prepared for power outages. Click on the embedded link for more information.

Winter storm warning: In effect until 6 a.m. Monday, March 16. Blizzard conditions are possible, with additional snow accumulation of 12 to 20 inch https://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=HFO&wwa=wind%20advisoryes and winds potentially gusting to more than 100 mph. Click on the embedded link to learn more.

Power outages: About 20,400 customers remained without power as of the utility’s 9 p.m. update. The majority of the outages are in the Puna area. Unfortunately, most who were without power at the time of the last update were likely to remain out overnight. Click the embedded link to learn more.

Water restriction

Water customers in North and South Kona, North Kohala, Pāhoa and Mountain View are asked to restrict water use to essential needs — and everyone on the island to conserve water — only because of possible prolonged power outages.

The department relies on Hawaiian Electric to power its wells and booster pumps for water distribution, an extended power outage could deplete portions of the department’s water systems and leave customers with low pressure or no water at all.

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.

People 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.
• Highway 11, between Pinao Street and Kaʻaluʻalu Road in Ka‘ū, because of flooding. No alternate routes available.
• Highway 11, between the 50-mile marker and Kamani Street in Ka‘ū, because of flooding. No alternate routes available. 
• Highway 11 between the 50- and 51-mile markers in Pāhala.
• Highway 11 between the 56- and 62-mile markers in Kawa.
• Highway 11 between the 65- and 66-mile markers in Hāʻao Springs Road/Waiʻōhinu.
• Aliʻi Drive (Aliʻi Bypass) in Kailua-Kona, between Halekiʻi Street and Nāpōʻopoʻo Road, because of extreme flooding. Both lanes closed.
• Aliʻi Drive, between Kaʻahumanu Place (Kailua Pier) and Sarona Road, because of extreme flooding. Both lanes closed.
• Highway 11, near the intersection of North Glenwood Road at the 22-mile marker, is open to all traffic.
• Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway (Highway 19) in Kona, near the Mormon temple, because of flooding on the roadway. Use alternate route.
• Roads in the Kawaihae area are closed because of flooding. This includes ʻAkoni Pule Highway at the 4-mile marker; Kawaihae Harbor, Spencer Beach Park areas; and the area of Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway (Highway 19), between Hāpuna Beach and Kawaihae Road. Use Highway 190 and Kawaihae Road as alternative routes.  

Closures and cancellations

• All Hawai‘i County offices closed through Sunday for all nonemergency services
• All Hawai‘i County beach parks closed through Sunday.
• All Hawai‘i County transfer stations, solid waste facilities and landfills closed through Sunday. County officials ask and urge residents to not leave rubbish at the closed transfer stations.
• Hilo Municipal Golf Course closed through Sunday.
• Panaʻewa Rainforest Zoo and Gardens closed through Sunday.
• 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 again Sunday. 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. Saturday on its Facebook page that stormy conditions were enveloping Mauna Kea’s summit, with 77 mph winds and 96 mph gusts — “down from 118 mph!!!” Click here to check current weather conditions.

The summit access road was 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.