KAILUA-KONA — Road closures are in effect Friday morning as heavy rain continues over the Big Island.
KAILUA-KONA — Road closures are in effect Friday morning as heavy rain continues over the Big Island.
Occasional rounds of showers and thunderstorms are expected across the state through the weekend, the National Weather Service reported Friday morning. They cautioned that the rainfall rates from the heavier storms could cause streams to quickly overflow banks leading to flash flooding.
A rain gauge in Pahala has been reporting rainfall rates up to 2 inches per hour, forecasters said.
A flash flood warning is in effect for windward areas of the island, including Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Keaau, Naalehu, Hawaiian Ocean View Estates, Pahoa, Pepeekeo, Pahala, Glenwood, Hawaiian Acres, Kawa Flats and Mountain View. A flash flood watch is posted for the remainder of the island.
Senior Hydrologist Kevin Kodama, with the National Weather Service in Honolulu, said the heaviest of rainfall is concentrated over the islands southeast side, including areas of Ka’u, Hilo and Hamakua.
Some heavy rain could pop up this afternoon in West Hawaii, however, it is hard to tell at this time if the rainfall could be heavy because it is dependent on the land heating up to fuel convection.
As of Friday morning, he said reports were coming of flooding starting in Naalehu and near Waiohinu Park in Ka’u.
The Hawaii Police Department reports multiple landslides and intermittent lane closures between mile markers 14 and 17 of Highway 19 along the Hamakua Coast. Highway 11 is now closed in both directions near Kawa Flats in Ka’u near mile markers 58 to 59 because of flooding. Motorists in these areas should expect delays and are urged to use alternate routes if at all possible.
Pahala-bound traffic is also be turned around near the Naalehu Police Station.
Forecasters said the islands may see a brief break in the unsettled weather Monday and Monday night as the deepest moisture moves out of the area. The reprieve will likely be short-lived as more deep tropical moisture is expected to move into the area Tuesday through Thursday, keeping conditions unsettled and rain chances above normal.
A winter storm warning is in effect for the Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa summits. An additional 20-30 inches of snow is expected. Click here for more information.