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Heavy rain buffeted Hawaii island Monday evening, stranding motorists and prompting officials to close roads and evacuate an apartment complex in Kawaihae.
Up to a dozen residents were evacuated from a Kawaihae apartment complex at 62-2600 Ouli Ekahi Place after four units were flooded at about 6:35 p.m. County officials opened the Waimea Community Center as an evacuation center. There were no reports of injuries.
County officials also said four vehicles were left stranded near Kawaihae Harbor after heavy stream flows blocked the exit from an area known as the LST Landing.
Heavy rain and flooding led to the closure of Apelehama Road near Kalopa State Park; Kupuna Road in Ahualoa; Hualalai Road between Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Hienaloli Road; and Akoni Puli Highway near milepost 3.
Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said field reports described “episodes or these cells of heavy rain downpours in different areas.”
“It appears that the cell may be moving across the island, and may continue through the night,” Oliveira said.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Hawaii island for most of Monday afternoon and evening.
A flood advisory was also in effect for Maui effective from Monday afternoon until the evening.
On Oahu a flash flood warning was extended until 11:15 p.m. Monday with heavy rain hitting from Waiahole to Punaluu.