Tropical Storm Conditions Reach Maui

Iselle 5-day track 5 a.m. HST Friday, Aug. 8, 2014. Image courtesy CPHC/NOAA/NWS.

By Maui Now Staff

(5 a.m. 8/8/14)

The center of tropical storm Iselle made landfall at around 2:30 a.m. on the Big Island of Hawaii, along the Ka’u Coast, about five miles east of Pahala.

Heavy rainfall associated with Iselle is expected to continue to bring flash flooding to the Islands as it moves westward.  Overnight, Maui was under a flood advisory, which has since expired.

As of 4:30 a.m., there were still more than 20,000 customers without power on Hawaii Island.

Several outages and road closures were reported overnight on Maui when wind debris came into contact with power lines and knocked out power to customers in Pukalani and Piʻiholo.  Road closures remained in effect on Piʻiholo and Olinda Roads.

Eight shelters are currently open on Maui. If you are heading to a shelter, the Red Cross reminds the public to bring their own emergency supplies with them.

Public schools remain closed today as well as all 10 campuses in the UH system.  Non-essential workers for the state and city on Maui are asked to stay home.

Storm total rainfall amounts from 5 to 8 inches with locally up to 12 inches are expected for Maui County through Friday, with the highest amounts will occur along the east and southeast facing slopes of the Islands.

Iselle was still packing maximum sustained winds of 50 mph with higher gusts.  Strong winds were reported across the island this morning with significant winds reported in the ʻUkumehame and Māʻalaea areas, as well as parts of Upcountry Maui.

Maui remains under a tropical storm warning with continued weakening forecast during the next 48 hours with Iselle becoming a post-tropical remnant low by Saturday afternoon.  The system continues on a path westward with rains continuing to stall over Hawaii Island.  It will then turn in a more west north west direction with the outer area of the storm continuing to impact the rest of the state today into tomorrow.

In addition to possible flash flooding, excessive runoff may result in rock and mudslides in steep terrain.

(1:31 a.m. HST 8/8/2014)

A flood advisory has been issued for the Island of Maui until 4:30 a.m.

The National Weather Service says radar at 1:23 a.m. showed moderate to heavy rain along the windward slopes of Haleakalā. Additional rain bands will continue to move over east Maui over the next several hours.

Other locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to: Pukalani, Makawao, Keʻanae, Nāhiku, and portions of the Hāna Highway from Hāna to Pāʻia.

Satellite imagery of Iselle at 1 a.m. HST, Friday, Aug. 8, 2014. Image courtesy CPHC/NOAA/NWS.

As a precaution, the public is advised to stay away from streams, drainage ditches, and low-lying areas that are prone to flooding.

The NWS says rainfall and runoff will cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility, and poor braking action.

Pedestrians and motorists are reminded not to cross fast flowing or rising water in their vehicle or on foot.

A flash flood watch is also in effect for Maui County until 6 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2014.

Iselle is currently at tropical storm strength, and is now on a weakening trend, according to the National Weather Service.

An eye wall was no longer discernible on the last radar check, and maximum sustained winds were near 60 miles per hour, with gusts near 75 mph.

The system has since slowed its movement toward the west as well and was moving at 7 mph, according to the CPHC. It was last tracked about 50 miles S of Hilo; 75 miles SE of Kailua-Kona; 40 miles E of South Point; 155 miles SSE of Kahului, Maui; 200 miles SE of Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi; 170 miles SE of Lānaʻi City; 240 miles SE of Honolulu; 335 miles SE of Līhue, Kauaʻi; and 380 miles ESE of Niʻihau.

Situation Overview:

Heavy rains and tropical storm force winds continue to affect the windward side of the Big Island early this morning.  Tropical storm conditions have now reached Maui County, with road closures in Piiholo and Olinda. The Central Pacific Hurricane center says downed trees were also reported in Central Maui. Strong winds have reached Oʻahu as well, with wind gusts over 50 mph reported over the Koʻolau mountains. Localized power outages were reported in Honolulu. Swells generated by Iselle will continue to build today, possibly becoming damaging along some coastlines. The threat of coastal flooding and property damage will be greatest on the windward side of the Big Island.