Heavy rain prompts rescue on Maui; sporadic rains could continue all week
NOAA / NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Clouds ahead of a weather system approaching Hawaii from the west caused heavy rain on Maui this afternoon.
NOAA / NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
Clouds ahead of a weather system approaching Hawaii from the west caused heavy rain on Maui this afternoon.
Heavy rains in Maui County stranded hikers and prompted flood advisories today.
The weather service says this could be just the beginning of a week of rainy weather.
Maui firefighters rescued 14 people stranded by flash flooding in northeast Maui this afternoon.
A man and woman, both 64, suffered minor injuries and were taken by ambulance to Maui Memorial Medical Center, said fire department spokesman Rylan Yatsushiro.
Fire officials got a call for help at about 2:49 p.m. from Makamakaole Gulch, between Waihee and Kahakuloa Village, off Kahekili Highway, Yatsushiro said.
Yatsushiro said the fire department helicopter rescued seven visitors and seven residents by about 5:08 p.m.
The National Weather Service issued a flood advisory for west Maui because of heavy rains and flooding. The advisory expired at 5:30 p.m.
But at 6:18 p.m. forecasters issued a new flood advisory for Molokai until 8:15 p.m.
Forecasters said radar indicated heavy showers lingering over east Molokai with rainfall of up to 2 inches an hour near Pukoo. The advisory includes Halawa Valley.
The chance of sporadic heavy rain continues through Friday, with the greatest chance of rain on Tuesday and Friday. Most showers should be in the afternoon and evening, triggered by cloud buildup and daytime heating. There’s a greater chance of morning showers Tuesday and Friday, as another weather system moves through the state and creates more unstable atmospheric conditions.
“We do have some potential for heavy showers and the chance of a thunderstorm,” said Tom Birchard, a meteorologist with the Honolulu office of the National Weather Service.
When it’s not raining, forecasters expect voggy and muggy weather.
Earlier forecasts suggested that snow could fall on Big Island summits, if temperatures dropped below freezing, but the weather service said this afternoon that snow is becoming less likely.
The vog, humid weather and chance of showers could stick around through the weekend. But some computer models show light tradewinds returning, which could provide some relief.
3 responses to “Heavy rain prompts rescue on Maui; sporadic rains could continue all week”
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Why were they rescued? Couldn’t the rescue squad just let the hikers soak until the stream died down? Getting wet and cold is the best lesson to be prepared and plan for unexpected events. Check the weather reports!
Because they were human beings. If they were the many roaches that live near the stream, MFD would not rescue them.
I’m not usually one to criticize hikers who end up needing rescue but this one is over the top. Knowing full well the severity of the weather conditions to be expected, these lolos chose to disregard these warnings and CHOSE to put themselves in harm’s way. In so doing, they put not only themselves in danger but the lives of rescuers, too. In this case, I think it is quite reasonable for the state/county to bill these idiots for the costs incurred.