State urges residents to remain vigilant as flood watch continues

Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency urges all Hawaiʻi residents to remain vigilant after National Weather Service extended a flood watch for the entire state through 6 p.m. Monday.

Even a few inches of additional rainfall could cause flash flooding, especially in areas where the ground remains saturated from record rainfall experienced since mid-March.

“State and county agencies across Hawaiʻi have been working around the clock to monitor conditions, support response efforts and keep our communities safe,” said state Adjutant General and Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency Director Maj. Gen. Stephen Logan in a state release. “Mahalo to the communities for doing their part, heeding advisories and working to keep their neighbors safe.”

Logan added that emergency management officials also are grateful for the coordination taking place among all levels of government and as conditions remain unsettled statewide.

“We urge everyone to stay informed and be prepared to act if needed,” he said.

Stay accurately informed

Weather conditions vary by county and location. The most timely and location-specific alerts will come from county emergency notification systems.

Residents are encouraged to sign up for alerts via their county:

• Hawaiʻi County
• Kauaʻi County

Residents should also continue monitoring trusted sources for real-time weather updates:

• National Weather Service
• Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency
• The Pacific Disaster Center’s Disaster Alert app

Residents should stay informed, avoid driving through flooded roadways and be prepared to take action if conditions worsen. Additional preparedness information is available online.

Brown water advisories

Brown water advisories are in effect for waters around Kaua‘i, Maui and O‘ahu. A brown water advisory means nearshore ocean water could be contaminated after heavy rainfall, when runoff carries soil, debris, bacteria and other pollutants from land into the ocean.

The advisories cannot be physically posted at every affected ocean access point, so residents are encouraged to check current conditions at the Hawai‘i Department of Health Clean Water Branch resource web page.

State health officials also advise residents to stay out of floodwaters. Exposure to contaminated water can cause wound infections, skin rash, gastrointestinal illness, tetanus, leptospirosis and more.

If contact with floodwater is unavoidable, officials recommend:

• Washing exposed skin with soap and water as soon as possible.
• Using alcohol-based wipes or sanitizer if clean water is unavailable.
• Cleaning and covering any wounds; seek medical care if needed.
• Washing contaminated clothing in hot water with detergent before reuse.