Maui Flood Watch Through Wednesday

Satellite imagery, 2.27.17. PC: NOAA/NWS

Flood Watch

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Kahoʻolawe, Kauaʻi, Lanaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Niʻihau, Oʻahu and the Big Island of Hawaiʻi from noon today through Wednesday afternoon, March 1, 2017.

Forecasters with the NWS say increasingly moist and unstable air will spread over the islands today and Tuesday.

A strong upper level disturbance will cause a surface trough or low to develop near the islands over the next couple of days, enhancing the potential for heavy downpours and thunderstorms that could lead to flash flooding.

Any heavy showers will be spotty this afternoon, but could become more widespread by Tuesday. Conditions should gradually improve later in the day on Wednesday.

Some streams and normally dry gulches are expected to run high and could quickly overflow their banks. Intense rainfall in poor drainage and urban areas could also lead to flash flooding.

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Keep tuned to later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

UPDATE: FLOOD WARNING FOR MAUI
626 PM HST MON FEB 27 2017

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the island of Maui in Maui County until 930 PM HST

* At 624 PM HST, radar indicated heavy rain over east Maui. Rain was falling at a rate of 2 inches per hour. Stream levels are rising rapidly. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly.

* Locations in the warning include but are not limited to… Kihei, Pukalani, Haliimaile, Pauwela, Kipahulu, Ulupalakua, Wailea, Huelo, Hana, Nahiku, Haiku-Pauwela, Paia and Makawao.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A flash flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring in streams, roads, and low lying areas. Move to higher ground now.

Do not cross fast flowing water in your vehicle, or on foot. Turn around, don/t drown.

This warning may need to be extended beyond 930 PM HST if heavy rain persists.

This flash flood warning replaces the previously issued flood advisory that was in effect for portions of the island of Maui in Maui County.

______________________

Previous Post:

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory for the island of Maui until 5:15 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 27, 2017.

At 2:25 p.m., radar showed thunderstorms with heavy rain located upslope from Kaupō and Kīpahulu.  Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Locations in this advisory include but are not limited to: Kaupō, Kīpahulu, Nāhiku, Keʻanae, Hāna, Wailua, Hāmoa and Haleakalā National Park.

A Flood Advisory means that nuisance flooding is occurring or imminent.  A Flood Advisory may be upgraded to a Flash Flood Warning if flooding worsens and poses a threat to life and property.

The NWS advises the public to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas that are prone to flooding.  Rainfall and runoff will also cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor breaking action.

Motorists and pedestrians are reminded not to cross fast flowing or rising water in their vehicle or on foot.

A Flash Flood Watch is also in effect for Maui County until Wednesday afternoon.  Information is posted above.