Flood Warning Issued for Maui

Upcountry Maui flooding. Photo courtesy: Vanessa Ghantous.

By Wendy Osher

(Update: 8:51 p.m. 2/21/13)

The National Weather Service has extended a Flash Flood Warning for the Island of Maui until midnight.

At 8:42 p.m., radar continued to show heavy showers along the windward slopes of Haleakala.

A shelter was opened in Pukalani for displaced residents at around 8:15 p.m., and some roads remain closed due to flooding and impassable conditions from earlier heavy rains.

Other locations in the warning include, but are not limited to: Pukalani, Pauwela, Paia, Nahiku, Makawao, Haliimaile, and Haiku.

(Update: 5:50 p.m. 2/21/13)

A Flood Warning for the island of Maui has been extended until 9 p.m. as heavy rain continues to affect Upcountry and East Maui.

At 5:24 p.m., radar continued to show heavy rain over the windward slopes of Haleakala, with the most intense rainfall over the Makawao and Haiku areas.

Several road closures remained in effect at last report including Brewer Road in Makawao and Kaupakalua Road in Haiku.

Other locations in the warning include, but are not limited to: Pukalani, Pauwela, Paia, Nahiku, Hana, and Kahului.

Vanessa Ghantous photo Upcountry Maui rain, Feb. 21, 2013.

(Posted: 3 p.m. 2/21/13)

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Maui until 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 21.

At 2:53 p.m., radar showed heavy rain occurring over the windward area of Haleakala.

Flooding this afternoon forced the closure of portions of Kaupakalua Road near Haiku and Makawao Avenue between Kee and Kokomo Roads.

Forecasters say additional heavy rainfall will move over East Maui during the next several hours.

Other locations in the warning area include, but are not limited to: Pukalani, Pauwela, Paia, Keanae, Hana, Haliimaile, Nahiku, Kahului and Haiku.

The public is advised not to cross fast flowing or rising water in their vehicle or on foot.

There is also a flood watch that remains in effect for Maui and the Big Island of Hawai’i until 6 p.m. on Friday due to unstable conditions approaching the state from the East.