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Flood warnings canceled for Oahu, Kauai; drier weather on the way

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM
                                A worker stopped traffic to let vehicles from the Hawaii Department of Transportation through as they worked to clear a landslide on the town bound lanes of the Pali Highway on Wednesday.

CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARADVERTISER.COM

A worker stopped traffic to let vehicles from the Hawaii Department of Transportation through as they worked to clear a landslide on the town bound lanes of the Pali Highway on Wednesday.

UPDATE: 10:15 p.m.

The flash flood warnings for both Kauai and Oahu have been canceled earlier.

The National Weather Service said the wet and breezy tradewind weather will continue through the work week, with rain falling in windward and mauka areas. “Expect clearer skies and drier conditions over the holiday weekend, with winds trending lighter Sunday and Monday,” forecasters said.

8 p.m.

The flash flood warnings have been extended for both Oahu and Kauai.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu extended the warning for Oahu until 10:30 p.m. and for Kauai until 11 p.m.

“At 7:18 p.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling over portions of Windward Oahu,” the weather service said. “Windward rivers remain elevated and Kamehameha Highway is closed at Waikane Valley due to flooding. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”

The Oahu warning covers Honolulu, Kahaluu, Ahuimanu, Waiahole, Waikane, Kaneohe, Aiea, Kaaawa, Halawa, Kaneohe Marine Base, Moanalua, Pearl City, Kalihi, Maunawili, Kailua, Punaluu, Manoa, Palolo, Waimanalo and Hauula.

In the Kauai warning, forecasters said, “At 7:43 p.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain decreasing over the northeast two-thirds of Kauai. The Hanalei River remains elevated but water level is decreasing. Kuhio Highway across the Hanalei River remains closed due to flooding. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.”

The warning includes Lihue, Kapaa, Kalaheo, Princeville, Kilauea, North Fork Wailua Trails, Wailua Homesteads, Alakai Swamp Trails, Hanalei, Omao, Lawai, Wailua, Wainiha, Koloa, Kokee State Park, Haena, Na Pali State Park, Hanapepe, Poipu and Anahola.

5:10 p.m.

A flash flood warning has been issued for Oahu until 7:30 p.m.

‘The National Weather Service in Honolulu said the warning covers Honolulu, Kahaluu, Ahuimanu, Waiahole, Waikane, Kaneohe, Aiea, Kaaawa, Halawa, Kaneohe Marine Base, Moanalua, Pearl City, Kalihi, Maunawili, Kailua, Punaluu, Manoa, Palolo, Waimanalo and Hauula.

“At 4:58 p.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling over the Koolau mountains,” the warning says. “Rapid rises in water levels are expected to lead to flooding on Kamehameha Highway near Waiahole. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.”

4:54 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has extended the flash flood warning for Kauai until 8 p.m.

“At 4:43 p.m., radar indicated moderate to heavy rainfall over windward areas of Kauai, with additional showers forming offshore. Kuhio Highway near Hanalei remains closed due to flooding. Gauges also indicate high water levels in Wailua River.”

2:30 p.m.

The National Weather Service has extended the flood advisory for Oahu to 6 p.m. today.

At 2:28 p.m., radar indicated persistent moderate to locally heavy rain moving over Oahu from the east.

The town-bound lanes of Pali Highway are closed this afternoon due to a landslide right outside of the second tunnel, according to the state Transportation Department.

Stream gauges, meanwhile, report elevated water levels, especially from Kahaluu to Punaluu.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Honolulu, Kahaluu, Ahuimanu, Waiahole, Waikane, Kaneohe, Aiea, Kaaawa, Halawa, Kaneohe Marine Base, Moanalua, Pearl City, Kalihi, Maunawili, Kailua, Punaluu, Manoa, Palolo, Waimanalo and Hauula.

2 p.m.

The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for Kauai to 5 p.m. today.

At 1:56 p.m., radar indicated that heavy rainfall was persisting over windward slopes, with additional showers forming offshore.

Kuhio Highway near Hanalei remains closed due to flooding of the roadway. Rain gauges also indicate high water levels in Wailua River.

Kauai County said the following roads and facilities remain closed:

>> Kuhio Highway near Hanalei Bridge

>> The Kapaa Sunshine Market at Kapaa Beach Park

>> The Kekaha Landfill

>> The Kekaha HI5 redemption center near the old Kekaha sugar mill

A flash flood warning means flash flooding is imminent or occurring in streams, roads and low-lying areas.

The public should not cross fast-flowing or rising water in a vehicle or on foot. The public should also stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even if they are currently dry.

NOON

The National Weather Service has extended the flood advisory for Oahu until 3 p.m. today.

At 11:46 a.m., radar indicated persistent moderate to locally heavy rain over the Koolau mountains, with extremely low visibility reported.

The heavy rains have led to increased runoff in streams, even in some leeward area streams where it may not be raining.

The heaviest showers were falling at a rate of nearly 1 inch per hour.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Honolulu, Kahaluu, Ahuimanu, Waiahole, Waikane, Kaneohe, Aiea, Kaaawa, Halawa, Kaneohe Marine Base, Moanalua, Pearl City, Kalihi, Maunawili, Kailua, Punaluu, Manoa, Palolo, Waimanalo and Hauula.

11 a.m.

The National Weather Service has extended the flash flood warning for the island of Kauai to 2 p.m. today.

At 10:59 a.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated that persistent moderate to heavy rainfall over windward slopes has led to rapid rises in streams and rivers.

Flooding of the Hanalei River has led to the closure of Kuhio Highway near the area.

Officials said the warning may be extended beyond 2 p.m. if flooding persists.

10:30 a.m.

A flash flood warning remains in effect through 11 a.m. for the island of Kauai.

At 9:06 a.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated that persistent moderate to heavy rainfall over windward slopes has led to rapid rises in streams and rivers. Flooding of the Hanalei River has led to the closure of Kuhio Highway in the area.

Hanalei Elementary School is also closed today due to flooding.

Forecasters said locations that will experience flash flooding include northern and eastern Kauai, along with portions of southern Kauai.

A high surf advisory for the east-facing shores of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii island has also been extended to 6 p.m. today due to strong trades.

Surf of 8 to 12 feet is expected on the east shores of Kauai today, while surf of 7 to 10 feet is expected on the east shores of all other isles covered by the advisory.

Officials warn of strong, breaking waves and strong currents, which will make swimming dangerous.

9:30 a.m.

A flood advisory is in effect for Oahu through noon today.

Radar at 8:52 a.m. showed persistent moderate to heavy rain over the Koolau mountains with the heaviest showers falling at a rate of 1 inch per hour, the NWS said.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Honolulu, Kahaluu, Ahuimanu, Waiahole, Waikane, Kaneohe, Aiea, Kaaawa, Halawa, Kaneohe Marine Base, Moanalua, Pearl City, Kalihi, Maunawili, Kailua, Punaluu, Manoa, Palolo, Waimanalo and Hauula.

Residents and visitors are advised to avoid streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Wet weather is in the forecast through Thursday as a high surf advisory for most islands is due to expire this evening.

A flash flood warning is in effect through 11 a.m. for the island of Kauai.

Radar at 7:41 a.m. showed persistent upslope rainfall that has led to rapid rises in water levels in streams and rivers, according to the National Weather Service. Flooding of the Hanalei River is expected to lead to the closure of Kuhio Highway near Hanalei within the hour. Rain was falling at up to 1 inch per hour.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include northern, eastern and portions of southern Kauai.

Forecasters expect a wet tradewind pattern to persist for the next few days, particularly affecting windward and mauka areas, but possibly spreading to leeward areas. However, clearer skies and drier weather are expected by the holiday weekend.

Additionally, a high surf advisory is in effect for the east shores of Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Hawaii islands through 6 p.m. today.

Surf up to 8 to 12 feet is expected for Kauai while surf up to 7 to 10 feet is expected for the other islands.

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