Flood monitoring in place while it rains Oahu, Kauai. soaked

UPDATE: 8 p.m.

The National Weather Service has canceled the flood warning for Oahu. However, Oahu and Kauai will remain under flood watch until Sunday morning.

Maui’s flood warning has also expired.

6 p.m.

The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the east side of Maui until 8 p.m.

“At 4:50 pm, the radar indicated that heavy rain had again developed over the lower windward slopes of Haleakala, with rainfall rates of up to 5 inches per hour,” the report said.

The flood warning covers Kipahulu, Hana, Nahiku, Kaupo, Hamoa and Haleakala National Park.

Oahu has a flood warning until 7:30 p.m., but forecasters said rainfall is easing.

“At 5:51 pm, the radar showed precipitation rates were decreasing over Oahu, and flow meters show elevated water levels that were gradually decreasing,” said a NWS update.

The lanes on the Pali Highway, which were blocked by a landslide today, have been reopened.

4:50 pm

The Oahu flood watch has been reinstated in a correction issued by the National Weather Service and extended to 6 a.m. Sunday.

The same notice with an identical timeline also applies to Kauai and Niihau.

Flood-prone roads and other low-lying areas may be closed due to runoff and overflowing creeks, while urban areas may experience more severe flooding and property damage due to the rapid runoff, the agency said.

4:30 p.m.

The flash flood warning in Oahu has been extended to 7:30 p.m.

New radar data showed widespread moderate rain was moving across Oahu from the south and southwest, with embedded heavy showers and thunderstorms generating rainfall rates between 1 and 5 inches per hour, forecasters said.

Residents are encouraged to stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches and culverts, even if they are currently dry. Drivers and pedestrians are warned not to cross fast flowing or rising water.

1:30 p.m.

A flash flood warning was issued for the island of Oahu due to heavy rainfall, which is valid until 4.30 p.m. Areas affected include Pearl City, Kailua, and Waipahu.

At 1:16 p.m., radar and automatic rain gauges were showing heavy rain on already saturated ground at rates of up to 5 inches per hour, the National Weather Service said.

As more rain approaches from the south, the already high water levels are likely to rise, forecasters said. The water level in the Kaelepulu Canal near Kailua Beach Park is considered “very high”.

The downpour caused a landslide that blocked the Pali Highway into town. The Hawaii Department of Transportation in a tweet said crews are working to remove debris, which is expected to take four hours.

Due to the heavy rainfall, the Honolulu Zoo announced that it will be closed for the day. When the weather dies down, the zoo is expected to reopen on Sunday at the regular opening times.

With the arrival of the flash flood warning, a previous flood warning that was originally supposed to expire at 2:15 p.m. will be canceled

12:30 pm

Maui’s flood warning was canceled at 11:53 a.m., but Oahu’s warning remains in effect until 2:15 p.m.

The latest radar data showed heavy rain over the south and east sides of Oahu at 11:44 a.m. with showers to the east. Rainfall has decreased over the western and northern parts of the island, while flooding is expected in the south and east of the island, forecasters said.

11 clock

Oahu’s flood warning has been extended to 2:15 p.m.

The radar showed widespread heavy showers moving north over Oahu at 10:52 a.m.

As the water levels in the Waiahole and Waikane streams rise, the Kamehameha Highway is at risk of flooding.

Flooding is expected across the island and residents are encouraged to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas. Driving conditions are also dangerous due to traffic jams, limited visibility and conditions that affect braking ability.

There is also a flood watch on the island.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Hawaii‘s slushy New Year celebrations continued today as a storm system from the south continued to pour rain over the islands on the first day of 2022.

Flood warnings were in place for Oahu and parts of east Maui this morning and Kauai, Niihau and Oahu have been under flood surveillance throughout the day.

An early morning flash flood warning for Oahu has expired. Heavy rain in Windward Oahu before 3 a.m. caused flooding on portions of the Kamehameha Highway, causing temporary closures on Waikane Valley Road and the Waiahole Poi Factory.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a flood warning for all of Oahu by 11:30 a.m.

“At 8:11 am, the radar showed that heavy showers were increasing in range as they moved north over Oahu, with additional rain approaching from the west on the leeward side. Although the showers were moving fairly quickly, they are still able to hit rainfall rates close to 5 inches per hour, ”the recommendation says.

The heavy rain can cause light flooding on roads, poor drainage areas and in streams, forecasters said.

Consultation lasts until noon on Maui and covers Kipahulu, Kaupo, Hana, Hamoa, and Haleakala National Park.

“At 8:42 am the radar indicated that over the lower slopes of the upwind Haleakala, east of a line from Nahiku to Kaupo, heavy rain was almost steady,” said the weather service.

The flood watch for Kauai, Niihau and Oahu, meanwhile, lasts late into the night.

“Roads at risk of flooding and other low-lying areas can be closed due to increased runoff and overflowing streams. Urban areas can suffer more severe flooding and property damage due to the rapid runoff, ”says the watch.

Weather forecasters said the rainy weather will last until the holiday weekend.

The weather service predicts the highest probability of showers and isolated thunderstorms over Oahu and Kauai until Sunday.

“Choppy weather conditions” will persist through Monday as Hawaii slowly transitions to a drier weather pattern, with light winds expected through Tuesday and trade winds returning Wednesday through Friday, forecasters said.