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Floodwaters destroy homes, cause mudslides on Kauai

PIXABAY

Heavy showers and thunderstorms continuing to produce rain rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour along the north shore of Kauai.

Updated 11:00pm

The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for the island of Kauai to 1:45 Monday morning.

Weather forecasters say although stream levels are trending downward and conditions improve, radar images show light to occasionally moderate rain continues to fall primarily over windward and interior sections of the island. They say the rainfall rate is less than a half an inch per hour.

Meanwhile, county officials report that they and state Department of Transportation crews have opened more roadways. They include the south-bound lane of Kuhio Highway on the Wailua Bridge and both lanes of the Kaumualii Highway near the 7-Eleven store in Lawai and near Maluhia Road.

Two homes were destroyed along Wainiha Powerhouse Road on Kauai due to severe flooding and mudslides from heavy rainfall on Saturday evening. The Kauai Emergency Management Agency said the homes were vacant.

The American Red Cross opened shelters at Hanalei Elementary and Church of the Pacific in Princeville for those affected by flash flooding and landslides on the north shore.

The water conservation notice for all customers in Wainiha and Haena also remains in effect. Residents and businesses in the area are urged to limit water consumption to essential uses only, in order to avoid a water outage.

Power outages continue in Wainiha and Hanalei.

Due to the heavy rains, a brown water advisory was issued for Kauai.

The public is advised to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris.

Beach closures:

>> Kalapaki Beach

>> Koloa Landing

>> Moloaa Bay

Road closures:

>> Both lanes of Kuhio Highway in Waikoko and Wainiha will remain closed in both directions through tonight following three landslides that occurred in the area at approximately 2 p.m.

>> Kuhio Highway also remains closed in the vicinity of Haena Beach Park and the Dry Cave due to rushing waters. A “Road Flooded” sign and cones have been posted in the area.

For updates on road conditions and closures, please call 241-1725.

A flash flood watch continues statewide through 6 p.m. today.

A high surf advisory is in effect through Monday morning for all east facing shores on all islands.

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