Maui Flood Watch Issued for Anticipated Weekend Rain

GOES‬ visible satellite image from 2200 UTC on 07/17/2014 of ‪Tropical Storm‬ ‪Wali‬ in the central ‪‎Pacific‬ SE of ‪#‎Hawaii‬

By Wendy Osher

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for the island of Maui from 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 19, to 6 p.m. on Monday, July 21, as rains from Tropical Storm Wali are expected to impact the state.

“Deep tropical moisture combined with an upper level trough will bring the threat of heavy rain and thunderstorms from Saturday night through Monday. Enhanced showers will reach the windward Big Island and Maui Saturday night, and the rest of the state Sunday,” the National Weather Service forecast stated.

Wali formed southeast of the Hawaiian islands earlier today (Thursday, July 17, 2014), and the National Weather Service issued an advisory saying heavy rains and potential flooding are anticipated over the islands.

Flood Watch Maui. Image courtesy NWS/ NOAA.

The NWS is forecasting the potential threat of heavy showers and thunderstorms with the potential for flash flooding.

Forecaster say “the greatest chance of flooding will occur over windward slopes, with a lesser chance over leeward locations.”

As a precaution, the public is reminded that it does not have to be raining heavily where you are for flash flooding to occur. The NWS advises the public to avoid camping or hiking near streams and low-lying areas that are prone to flooding.