UPDATE: Thunderstorms move over East Hawaiʻi, flood warning replaces advisory

Update at 1:05 p.m. March 23: As strong thunderstorms move slowly over areas of East Hawaiʻi, a flash flood warning has been issued for the Big Island.

According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, a cluster of strong thunderstorms is moving slowly over South Hilo and Puna, causing wind gusts up to 50 mph and nickel-sized hail.

Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible.

Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

Locations impacted by the thunderstorms include Hawaiian Acres, Orchidlands Estates, Hilo, Keaʻau, Hawaiian Beaches, Kurtistown, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Eden Roc, Fern Acres, ʻĀinaloa, Mountain View, Fern Forest, and Glenwood.

Radar also indicated that rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 4 inches per hour between Laupāhoehoe and Mountain View. Additional areas of heavy rain could develop elsewhere in the warned area over the next few hours.

The County of Hawaiʻi Civil Defense Agency has also reported road flooding along Bayfront Highway.

Flash flooding is possible in drainages, streams, rivers, roads, properties, and other low-lying areas. Public road closures are possible in some areas. Areas with steep terrain may experience landslides.

Locations that will experience flash flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honokaʻa, Volcano, Glenwood, Mountain View, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Hawaiian Acres, Keaʻau, Wood Valley, Pōhakuloa Camp, Papaʻikou, Pēpēʻekeo, Pāhala, Honomū, Pāhoa, and Hakalau.

The flash flood warning replaces the previously issued flood advisory and will be in effect until 3:45 p.m., however, it may be extended if flooding persists.

Update at 12:36 p.m. on March 23: Thunderstorms have moved out of West Hawai‘i and into the Hilo and Puna Districts.

At 12:33 p.m., Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms over the area, moving east at 5 mph. There are wind gusts of up to 50 mph.

The storm is expected to last until 1:30 p.m.

Locations impacted include Hawaiian Acres, Wainaku, Orchidlands Estates, Hilo, Glenwood, Kea‘au, Fern Forest, Papaikou, Hawaiian Beaches, Nanawale Estates, Volcano, Kurtistown, Pauka‘a, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Eden Roc, Leilani Estates, Fern Acres, Pahoa, Ainaloa, and Mountain View.

Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

A flood advisory is currently in effect for the area until 3:45 p.m.

At 12:32 p.m., radar indicated areas of heavy rain moving over the eastern half of the Big Island, generally falling at a rate of 1 to 3 inches. The heaviest rain is currently falling between Hilo and Mountain View with localized rain rates of up to 4 inches per hour.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honoka‘a, Volcano, Glenwood, Mountain View, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaiian Acres, Kea‘au, Wood Valley, Pōhakuloa Camp, Pōhakuloa Training Area, Papaikou, Pepe‘ekeo, Pahala, Honomu, Pāhoa and Hakalau.

Update at 12:23 p.m. on March 23: A flood warning for West Hawai‘i has been canceled as heavy rain has ended.

A flood watch remains in effect until 6 p.m.

Update at 10:57 a.m. on March 23: Strong thunderstorms will continue to impact portions of Hawai‘i County through 11:30 a.m.

At 10:37 a.m., Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Kamuela to 6 miles northeast of Kalaoa to 18 miles west of Hawaiian Ocean View. Movement was northeast at 5 mph.

impacted include Waipi‘o Valley, Hawi, Mahukona, Hōnaunau, Kamuela, Kawaihae, Kahalu‘u-Keauhou, Kealakekua, Kapa‘au, Puako, Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook, Pu‘uanahulu, Waikōloa Village, Kainaliu, Honalo, Pololu Valley, Kohala Ranch, Kalaoa, and Halaula.

Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

Original post: Thunderstorms are hitting Hawai‘i County and are expected to linger through 10:30 a.m.

At 9:35 a.m., Doppler radar was tracking a cluster of strong thunderstorms along a line extending from near Hawi to 5 miles southwest of Kahalu‘u-Keauhou.

Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole is under a ground stop due to lightning. All ground crew have been pulled off the ramp area.

Frequent cloud-to-ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.

Locations impacted include Captain Cook, Pu‘uanahulu, Hawi, Mahukona, Hōnaunau, Kawaihae, Kahalu‘u-Keauhou, Waikōloa Village, Kainaliu, Kealakekua, Honalo, Pololu Valley, Kohala Ranch, Kalaoa, Halaula, Kapa‘au, Waimanu Valley, Puako, Kailua-Kona, and Hōlualoa.

The movement of the storm was east at 15 mph offshore, with wind gusts of up to 50 mph.

A flood advisory was upgraded to a warning. At 10:22 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain over Kona and Kohala areas. Rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour.

Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

HAZARD…Flash flooding caused by heavy rain.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook, Waikoloa Village, Kapaau, Puuanahulu, Puako, Kalaoa, Holualoa, Kawaihae, Honalo, Kamuela, Kahaluu-Keauhou, Kohala Ranch, Kainaliu, Kealakekua, Honaunau, Waimanu Valley, Waipio Valley, Pololu Valley and Kukuihaele.

Also, the National Weather Service reports there is a special marine warning for leeward waters and the Alenuihaha Channel between the Big Island and Maui, until 10:45 a.m. The storm is producing waterspouts near FAD Buoy XX to 7 nm west of FAD Buoy F, moving east at 10 knots.