Flood Watch Until Noon for Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi

ʻĪao River, file photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

(Update: 6:34 a.m., 11/10/13)

A flood advisory has been cancelled for the Island of Maui. A flood watch remains in effect until noon today for Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

(Update: 4:16 a.m., 11/10/13)

A flood advisory has been issued for the Island of Maui, replacing the flood warning that was in effect earlier this morning. The National Weather Service issued the advisory through 7:15 a.m., with forecasters observing radar conditions at 4:13 a.m. that showed heavy rain over East Maui from Pukalani to Keʻanae. Officials say the rain was nearly stationary, but that all parts of Maui Island are included in the advisory. The public is advised to stay away from streams, drainage ditches, and low-lying areas that may be prone to flooding. Motorists are also reminded to be cautious of ponding, reduced visibility, and poor braking action on the roads. In addition to the Maui flood advisory, there is also a flood watch in effect for Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi until noon today (Sunday, Nov. 10).

(Update: 3:20 a.m. 11/10/13)

A flash flood warning remains in effect for the Island of Maui until 4:30 a.m. Forecasters from the National Weather service say radar at 3:14 a.m. showed heavy rain continuing over the warning area, and the rain gauge at Pukalani reporting rain falling at a rate of 2 inches per hour. The area of rain was nearly stationary according to the forecast. Other locations in the warning area include Wailuku, Waiehu, Paʻuwela, Pāʻia, Lahaina, Honokōwai, Hāliʻi-maile, and Haʻikū. The warning may need to be extended beyond 4:30 a.m. if heavy rains persist.

(Update: 3:09 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013)

The National Weather Service has cancelled the Flash Flood Warning for Molokaʻi. Forecasters with the NWS say heavy rains have ended, and stream levels have dropped below the flood stage at the Hālawa Stream. Although heavy rains have subsided, runoff is still occurring and streams will remain high for several hours, according to the NWS. A flash flood watch remains in effect until 6 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10.

(Update: 2:05 a.m., 11/10/13)

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for the Islands of Maui until 4:30 a.m. and Molokaʻi until 5 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10.

At 1 a.m., trained weather spotters reported two inches of rain over a one hour period in an area four miles west of Kahului. Forecasters with the NWS say radar at 1:30 a.m. showed heavy, stationary rain near Kahului as well.  Earlier in the evening, at around 12:18 a.m. forecasters say a rain gauge showed heavy rain falling at 2 inches per hour near Waiheʻe or about 8 miles northwest of Kahului.

On the island of Molokaʻi, rain gauges on Hālawa Stream showed a rapid rise in water level to near flood-stages at around 1:54 a.m., according to the NWS.  Forecasters say the area of heavy rain was moving south at around 15 miles per hour, with more heavy rain to affect the island for the next few hours.

Other locations in the warning include all of Molokaʻi; and Wailuku, Waiehu, Paʻuwela, Pāʻia, Lahaina, Honokōwai, and Haʻikū on Maui.

According to the NWS, a flash flood warning means that flash flooding is imminent or already occurring in streams, roads, and low-lying areas.

Motorists and pedestrians are reminded not to cross fast flowing or rising water in their vehicle or on foot, and to “turn around… don’t drown.”

The flood warning replaces flood advisories that were in effect for the respective locations, and may need to be extended beyond the indicated time period if flash flooding conditions persist.***Supporting information courtesy National Weather Service.