Public urged to monitor real-time stream conditions as storm approaches Hawaiian Islands

With a third storm system forecast to impact the state of Hawaiʻi over the next few days, residents and visitors are reminded that real-time stream data is available as one of several tools to stay informed.

According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, a weather pattern is unfolding across the Hawaiian Islands that will persist through Friday as low pressure strengthens northwest of the state. Stay up-to-date on current weather conditions on Big Island Now.

The United States Geological Survey, in partnership with the State of Hawaiʻi Commission on Water Resource Management and other state and county agencies, provides publicly accessible, near-real-time data on stream level discharge at 88 monitoring locations across the five main Hawaiian Islands through its Water Data for the Nation website here.

To check current conditions, select “Discharge” under the “Show only locations with” on the right of the screen. Zoom in on the island and click the gauge location you wish to check.

Any locations with a red exclamation point, which alerts users to “! Extreme conditions.” A color code legend and other information appear below to provide users with information, according to a news release from the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Stream gauges throughout the islands are typically updated every 15 minutes, offering timely information on rapidly changing conditions during heavy rainfall events.

The Commission on Water Resource Management advises that real-time stream data is a valuable situational awareness tool, but it should not be used as the sole basis for safety decisions.

Because conditions can change rapidly between updates, the public should rely on official warnings and alerts from the National Weather Service, Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, and county emergency management agencies, as well as using their own judgment when conditions appear unsafe.

Click here to receive text notifications from USGS on water alerts.

Residents and visitors can find information on preparations and safety precautions for heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, power outages, large surf and coastal surge on the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency and county emergency management agencies’ websites.

More weather information is available at: https://www.weather.gov/hfo.