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Flood watch expires for Kauai, Niihau

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
                                A motorist drives through an area with ponding from the heavy rain at Kona Iki and Kona Streets near Ala Moana Center on Saturday.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM

A motorist drives through an area with ponding from the heavy rain at Kona Iki and Kona Streets near Ala Moana Center on Saturday.

UPDATE: SUNDAY

The flood watch covering Niihau and Kauai has expired.

SATURDAY 4:45 p.m.

The flash flood warning for Oahu has expired as heavy rain over the island has abated.

The National Weather Service still has a flood watch covering Niihau and Kauai through late tonight.

5 p.m.

Kalakaua Avenue between Seaside Avenue and Duke’s Lane has reopened.

3:45 p.m.

Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki is closed between Seaside Avenue and Duke’s Lane due to flooding, according to city officials.

2:55 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a flash flood warning for Oahu until 5:45 p.m.

“At 2:41 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over Honolulu, with additional heavy rainfall over Central and West Oahu,” the warning said. “Additional heavy rain is developing south of the island, and could move onshore within the next hour. Streams remain elevated with additional showers likely. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2.5 inches per hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”

Forecasters warn of flooding in drainages, streams, rivers, roads, properties, and other low-lying areas. Road closures and landslides are possible, they said.

Areas that may experience flash flooding include Honolulu, Waipio, Pearl City, Aiea, Waiahole, Waikane, Halawa, Mililani, Kahaluu, Waikele, Ahuimanu, Salt Lake, Waipahu, Moanalua, Wahiawa, Wheeler Field, Kunia, Kalihi, Kaaawa and Iroquois Point, the arning said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Oahu is back under a flood advisory this afternoon as rain returns from the “kona low” weather system that drenched the island for several days this week.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu said the advisory is in effect until 3:15 p.m. and covers the entire island.

“At 12:03 p.m., radar indicated heavy rain over Fort Shafter. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour,” the advisory said, adding that heavy showers are moving into West Oahu.

The advisory says locations that may experience minor flooding on roads, poor drainage areas, and in streams include Honolulu, Waipio, Mililani, Pearl City, Waikele, Wahiawa, Wheeler Field, Waipahu, Aiea, Kunia, Halawa, Waiahole,Waikane, Schofield Barracks, Salt Lake, Kahaluu, Moanalua, Ahuimanu, Iroquois Point and Ewa Beach.

Kauai and Niihau remain under a flood watch through tonight. “A band of moderate to heavy showers associated with a kona low northwest of the islands will slowly move over Kauai County,” forecasters said. “As this band slowly moves eastward through tonight, the threat for flash flooding for the islands of Niihau and Kauai will persist.”

Beyond today, forecasters said, “Expect improving trends from east to west on Sunday. By Monday all islands will see an improvement in weather conditions as easterly tradewinds return.”

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