The first big storm of the year battered West Hawaii on Thursday night, with heavy rain and strong wind uprooting trees and littering roads with rocks and debris.
The first big storm of the year battered West Hawaii on Thursday night, with heavy rain and strong wind uprooting trees and littering roads with rocks and debris.
Some residential areas and businesses on downhill slopes received rivers of flooding that affected ground-level apartment units, parking garages and commercial parking lots near Kailua Village and throughout other parts of West Hawaii.
Rainfall was significant in West Hawaii during the 24 hours between 8 a.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. Friday.
Waimea had 2.61 inches during that period, Waikoloa received 2.60 inches, Kona International Airport got 3.56 inches, Kaloko-Honokohau had 3.45 and Puuanahulu recorded 2.38, according to the National Weather Service.
Twelve public facility closures were prompted due to severe weather conditions throughout the county Friday, including seven schools, three public pools, one golf course and one beach park, according to a Hawaii County Hazard Impact Map.
Due to improving weather conditions, seven emergency shelters closed Friday, with county park facilities and camping sites expected to reopen today.
A flood watch was in effect until at least 6 p.m. Friday throughout parts of the county.
High wind and winter storm warnings were also issued for Big Island summits until at least 6 a.m. today, according to the NWS.
The county Civil Defense Agency urged people and businesses to report weather-related damages.
Those with commercial or residential property damages related to this week’s high winds and rainfall should report it on the Civil Defense Disaster Recovery Website at https://tinyurl.com/yc3d4ezd or by calling (808) 935-0031.
