Strong Thunderstorms, Flood Advisory for Maui

Radar 4:15 HST, 2.11.17. PC: NOAA/NWS

Update: February 11, 2017 6:30 p.m.

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT – THUNDERSTORMS TO AFFECT MAUI ISLAND

EVENT: A line of strong thunderstorms will affect eastern sections of Haleakala.

EFFECTS: At 719 p.m. radar indicated the heavy band of showers and thunderstorms had pushed east of Maui, with scattered light to moderate showers continuing. The heavy rainfall earlier in the evening continues to produce some minor flooding of low-lying and poor drainage areas.  South Kīhei Road has been temporarily
closed due to water over the roadway.

At 6:18 p.m., radar indicated strong thunderstorms were located along a line extending from 8 miles northeast of Nāhiku to 25 miles south of Kaupō. Movement was northeast at 45 mph. Winds in excess of 40 mph are possible with these storms.

Locations impacted include Kīpahulu, ʻUlupalakua, Huelo, Nāhiku, Haʻikū-Paʻuwela, Makawao, Kula, Keokea, Kaupō, Pukalani, Hāna, Mākena, Haleakalā National Park, Kailua and Wailua.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a

* Flood advisory for…
The island of Maui in Maui County

* Until 930 PM HST

* At 626 PM HST, radar indicated very heavy rain impacting
windward east Maui, with rainfall rates up to 3 inches per hour
within a narrow line of heavy showers and thunderstorms. The
line of heavy rain is moving east, with moderate rain persisting
over west Maui.

* Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to…
The entire island of Maui.
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The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flood Advisory for the island of Maui until 7 p.m. HST.  A Flood Watch remains in effect for all of Maui County through late tonight.

An area of strong thunderstorms will affect Maui this afternoon/evening.  At 4:30 p.m. HST, strong thunderstorms were clustered along the leeward coast of Maui and the West Maui Mountains, or 12 miles west of Kahului, moving northeast at 30 mph.  Winds in excess of 30 mph are possible with this storm.

At 3:54 p.m. HST, radar indicated heavy rain near Lahaina. Rain was falling at a rate of up to 2 inches per hour. At 4:01 p.m. radar also showed heavy rain over Lānaʻi falling at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour, but a Flood Advisory for the island was cancelled by 4:39 p.m.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Kahului, Kīhei, Lahaina, Kapalua, Waikapū, Māʻalaea, Honokōhau, Wailuku, ʻUlupalakua, Wailea, Kahakuloa and Puʻunēnē.

Maui Now Meteorologist Malika Dudley says a strong cold front is currently over Maui County bringing pockets of gusty winds, heavy rains and thunderstorms. This line of active weather is moving east at 25 to 35 mph.

Chances for thunderstorms will decrease overnight for Maui County but remnant moisture is expected to possibly linger into Monday.

There’s also a wind advisory in effect for the summit of Haleakalā, until 6 a.m. Sunday. Sustained winds of at least 45 mph, or gusts of at least 55 mph, are expected.

As a precaution, the public is reminded to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.

Rainfall and runoff will also cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.

Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. The NWS reminds motorists and pedestrians to “Turn around, don’t drown.”