BRIEF: High Surf Keeps Baldwin Park Closed

Lower lying areas of Baldwin Park in Pāʻia became flooded by high surf overnight. Photo, Nov. 13, 2013, courtesy County of Maui.

By Wendy Osher

County crews kept Baldwin Park in Pāʻia closed for a second day on Thursday, because of flooding conditions overnight caused by high surf.

The initial closure went into effect on Wednesday when high surf flooded low-lying areas of the park including the gravel parking lot and pavilion area.

The closure will remain in effect for the rest of the day, and county crews from the Department of Parks and Recreation will reassess the area tomorrow.

County officials say that as a result of the closure, the park gates will remain locked.

A high surf warning went into effect on Tuesday evening for the north and east facing shores of Maui and Molokaʻi, and has since been extended through 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013.

The NWS forecast calls for warning level surf of 20 to 25 feet along the north facing shores today, lowering to 12 to 18 feet later tonight and Friday. East facing shores are expected to get surf in the 10 to 15 foot range today, decreasing to 5 to 8 feet later tonight and Friday.

Lower lying areas of Baldwin Park in Pāʻia became flooded by high surf overnight. Photo, Nov. 13, 2013, courtesy County of Maui.

Lower lying areas of Baldwin Park in Pāʻia became flooded by high surf overnight. Photo, Nov. 13, 2013, courtesy County of Maui.