Maui Flood WARNING Until 2:45 a.m. Friday 3/9/12

Satellite imagery 4 p.m. 3/8/12 courtesy NOAA & NWS.

By Wendy Osher

***UPDATED information is now available at the following direct LINK.

(Update: 11:45 p.m. 3/8/12) The National Weather Service has extended a Flash Flood Warning for the island of Maui until 2:45 a.m. on Friday, March 9, 2012. At 11:36 p.m., radar showed heavy rain continuing to fall from thunderstorms near Keanae. The area of heavy rain was located about 18 miles east of Kahului and was nearly stationary. Other locations in the Warning include Pauwela, Paia, Makawao, Haliimaile and Haiku.

(Update: 10:32 p.m. 3/8/12) A Flash Flood Warning remains in effect for Maui until 11:45 p.m. At 9:45 p.m., radar showed heavy rain over parts of windward and East Maui. Forecasters with the National Weather Service say the heavy rains from earlier tonight caused the Hanawi Stream Gauge to increase well above its 7.5-foot threshold. Other streams on Maui are also showing high water levels. Locations in the Warning include Pukalani, Pauwela, Paia, Makawao, Keanae, Haliimaile and Haiku.

(Update: 8:54 p.m. 3/8/12) A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for Maui until 11:45 p.m.  At 8:48 p.m., radar showed heavy rain falling at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour near Nahiku, according to the National Weather Service. The area of rain was nearly stationary. Other locations in the warning include Pukalani, Pauwela, Paia, Makawao, Keanae, Haliimaile and Haiku.

(3:18 p.m. 3/8/12) A Flash Flood Watch has been extended until 4 a.m. on Saturday 3/10/12 for the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu and Kauai.

While the rains have lessened somewhat, the weather in Maui County could worsen overnight, according to County Communications Director, Rod Antone.

For this reason Maui County Civil Defense is at level three staffing, which means they will be monitoring the weather situation as it develops.  Updates will be issued throughout the night.

The system impacting the state is forecast to move west through Friday. Forecasters with the National Weather Service say trough will interact with an upper level disturbance, resulting in a good chance for continued rain and thunderstorms.

Rain gauges at 2:45 p.m. showed 3-hour rain totals of 0.26 inches in Haiku, 0.20 inches at the Kahului Airport, 1.82 inches at Puu Kukui, 1.12 inches at the Waikapu Country Club, and 1.18 inches at Mahinahina in West Maui.

(Update: 3:56 p.m. 3/8/12) A Wind Advisory for Lanai was added to the list of notices issued by the National Weather Service today. The Advisory will remain in effect until 4 a.m. on Friday with winds expected to be in the 20-30 mph range, with higher gusts up to 45 mph expected through tonight.

***Supporting information courtesy NOAA & NWS.