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Flash flooding closes portion of H-3 freeway

COURTESY NOAA

This satellite image shows the water vapor around the state at about 8 p.m. Hawaii time.

Update: 11:20 p.m.

The H-3 freeway has been reported clear as of 9:53 p.m., according to the special services crew of the state Department of Transportation.

The flash flood warning for Oahu has expired.

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A flash flood warning is in effect for Oahu as flash flooding made part of H-3 freeway on the Windward side impassable, the National Weather Service said.

The warning is in effect until 11:45 p.m. tonight.

At about 8:40 p.m., law enforcement reported about two feet of water from flash flooding covering the H-3 freeway near Koolau Golf Club, the weather service said.

Rain is falling at a rate of about one to two inches per hour with additional downpours expected in windward areas over the next couple of hours, the weather service said.

Locations in the warning include, but are not limited to: Ahuimanu, Hauula, Waimanalo, Kailua, Maunawili, Kaneohe, Waikane, Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe, Hawaii Kai, Waiahole, Palolo and Kahaluu.

Meanwhile, a flash flood watch remains in effect for Hawaii island through Saturday afternoon. Heavy rainfall could make some roads impassable due to severe runoff, the weather service said.

A flood advisory for Maui remains in effect until 11:45 p.m. tonight. At about 8:45 p.m., radar showed heavy rainfall over the west Maui mountains with rain falling at a rate of about one to two inches per hour. More heavy rainfall is expected to move into windward areas over the next couple of hours.

Stream levels are running high and minor flooding can be expected, the weather service said.

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