Weather updates for Saturday: Molokaʻi Warning extended to 9:45 p.m.

• Saturday WEATHER UPDATES here.
• Saturday ROAD CLOSURES here.
• Saturday CANCELLATIONS/FACILITY CLOSURES here.

Molokaʻi Flood Warning extended to 9:45 p.m.
Update: 6:30 p.m. 3:35 p.m., 12:35 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for the island of Molokaʻi until 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.

At 6:30 p.m., radar and rain gages indicated that rainfall has eased over Molokaʻi; however, stream gages showed runoff levels were still elevated, according to the NWS. The Maui Emergency Management Agency reported that Kamehameha V Highway was still flooded in the Kawela and Kamalo areas. Additional rainfall is expected to move over the island from the northeast over the next several hours.

At 335 PM HST, radar indicated heavy rain over Molokai with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Maui County Emergency Management has reported overflowing streams and homes flooded in the Kawela Gulch area. A shelter has been opened near Kaunakakai. Rain rates are expected to diminish in the short term, but could redevelop quickly over the next few hours.

At 12:35 p.m., radar showed heavy rain over Molokaʻi with rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour with locally higher amounts. Rapid rises has been recorded on the Kawela Gulch and Kaunakakai Gulch stream gauges. Maui County Emergency Management is reporting overflowed streams and homes flooded in the Kawela Gulch area. Rain rates are expected to diminish in the short term,
but could redevelop quickly over the next few hours, according to the NWS forecast.

Maui Flood Advisory CANCELED
Update: 7:35 p.m., 1:47 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

The Flood Advisory for the island of Maui is canceled as of 7:35 p.m. Weather radar shows that the heavy rain has diminished. Therefore, the Flood Advisory has been cancelled. A Flood Watch remains in effect until 6 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 29, for Kahoʻolawe, Lānaʻi, Maui and Molokaʻi.

PREVIOUS POSTS:

Maui Flood Advisory until 5 p.m.
Update: 1:40 P.M., 10:52 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

The National Weather Service has extended a Flood Advisory for the island of Maui until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.

At 1:40 p.m., radar showed heavy rain over the windward slopes of Haleakalā, especially heavy between Nāhiku and Kaupō. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, according to the latest update issued by the NWS. Forecasters say flooding is expected across various parts of the island, especially along the Hāna Highway and other windward areas.

At 10:46 a.m., radar showed heavy rain over the windward slopes of Haleakalā, especially heavy between Hāna and Haʻikū, where rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, according to the NWS. Forecasters say flooding is expected across various parts of the island, especially along the Hāna Highway and other windward areas.

Molokaʻi Flood Warning extended to 12:45 p.m.
Update: 9:34 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for the island of Molokaʻi in until 12:45 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.

At 9:30 a.m., radar showed heavy rain continuing to fall over a large portion of Molokaʻi, with peak rain rates near 2 inches per hour, according to the NWS. Forecasters advise that water levels in gulches and streams remain elevated, and flash flooding is ongoing.

Maui Flood Warning extended to 10 a.m.
Update: 8:50 a.m., 6:51 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

The National Weather Service has extended a Flash Flood Warning for the island of Maui until 10 a.m.

At 8:50 a.m., radar showed widespread moderate to heavy rain over most of Maui, although rainfall intensity has eased somewhat from earlier this morning, according to the latest NWS forecast. Stream gages show elevated water levels as recent heavy rain continues to run off. Portions of South Kīhei Road remain closed. Road closure information is posted here.

At 6:51 a.m., radar showed heavy rain over West Maui, and over parts of windward Haleakalā, especially near Paʻuwela. The NWS reports that additional heavy showers and thunderstorms are re-developing just offshore, and will move in from the east through mid-morning.

Rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 3 inches per hour in the heaviest shower area, and flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

The Flood Warning covers the entire island of Maui. The warning may be extended if heavy rain persists.

In addition to the Flood Warning, there is also a Flood Watch in effect through Sunday afternoon for all of Maui County. Emergency managers advise that landslides could lead to road closures, especially along the Hāna Highway.

The wet weather is the result of a surface trough that is brining heavy showers and thunderstorms over Maui County through the weekend. The bulk of the rainfall is expected to fall over windward slopes and coasts, but some heavy showers could spread to leeward areas, where stream flow could also become elevated, according to the NWS.

Molokaʻi Flood Warning until 9:45 a.m.
Update: 7:10 a.m., 6:18 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the island of Molokaʻi until 9:45 a.m.

At 7:06 a.m., radar and automated rain gauges showed extremely heavy rain falling over a large portion of the island of Molokaʻi, with rain rates near 3 inches per hour. “Water levels are rapidly rising in streams. Flash flooding is ongoing, with water over Kamehameha V Highway causing the closure of the roadway in several locations, including near Kaunakakai,” according to the Maui Emergency Management Agency.

At 6:18 a.m., radar and automated rain gauges showed heavy rain falling over a large portion of Molokaʻi, with rain rates near 2 inches per hour in the heaviest rainfall area. Flash flooding is ongoing, with water over Kamehameha V Highway causing the closure of the road near Kaunakakai, according to the NWS.

Maui Flood Warning remains in effect until 7 a.m.
Update: 5:12 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

A Flood Warning remains in effect for Maui until 7 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.

At 5:12 a.m., radar showed locally heavy rain over the slopes of Haleakalā. Rain was falling at a rate of up to 1 inch per hour. Although area streams have begun to subside, they remain susceptible to rapid rises with additional rainfall. Several roads remain closed, including the Piʻilani Highway near Nuʻu, South Kīhei Road near Kūlanihākoʻi Gulch, and Pūlehu Road above the landfill.

Maui Flood Warning extended to 7 a.m.
Update: 4:50 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

The National Weather Service has extended a Flood Warning for Maui until 7 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.

At 3:42 a.m., radar showed locally heavy rain over 1 inch per hour over the slopes of Haleakalā, and heavy rain continues to move onshore. Several streams over East Maui remain elevated and additional rainfall will be possible over the next several hours, according to the updated forecast.

The Maui Emergency Management Agency reports that several roads remain closed, including the Piʻilani Highway near Nuʻu, South Kīhei Road near Kūlanihākoʻi Gulch, and Pūlehu Road above the Central Maui Landfill. 

Molokaʻi Flood Advisory until 8 a.m.
Update: 4:55 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

A Flood Advisory is in effect until 8 a.m. for the island of Molokaʻi

At 4:49 a.m., radar showed locally heavy rain moving over the island. Rain was falling at a rate of up to 1.5 inches per hour. Additional rainfall is expected over the next several hours, according to the NWS.

The National Weather Service reports that some locations that will experience flooding include: Kualapuʻu, Kaunakakai, Hoʻolehua, Kalaupapa National Park, Kawela, Kamalō, Maunaloa, ʻUalapuʻe, Pūkoʻo, Kepuhi, Hālawa Valley and Molokaʻi Airport.

Maui Flood Warning extended to 4 a.m.
Posted: 12:51 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023

The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for the island of Maui until 4 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.

At 12:51 a.m., radar indicated locally heavy rain over 1 inch per hour over the slopes of Haleakalā. The NWS reports that several streams over East Maui remain elevated.

According to Maui Emergency Management Agency, several roads remain closed, including the Piʻilani Highway near Nuʻu, South Kīhei Road near Kūlanihākoʻi  Gulch, and Pūlehu Road above the Central Maui Landfill.

The NWS advises that heavy rain may result in flash flooding of drainages, streams, rivers, roads, properties, and other low-lying areas. Landslides are possible in steep terrain.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include: Keʻanae, Kīpahulu, Nāhiku, Kula, Kaupō, Makawao, Huelo, Pukalani, Kēōkea, Haʻikū-Paʻuwela, Hāliʻimaile, Hāna, Paʻuwela, Pāʻia, Haleakalā National Park, Wailua, Kailua and Hāmoa.

As a precaution, the public is advised to stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches and culverts, even if they are currently dry. The NWS reminds motorists and pedestrians not to cross fast flowing or rising water in their vehicle or on foot. “Turn around, don’t drown.”

This warning may need to be extended beyond 4 a.m. if flooding persists.

Flash Flood Warning until 1 a.m.
Update: 9:36 p.m., Friday, Jan.27, 2023

The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for the island of Maui until 1 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, 2023.

At 9:36 p.m., radar showed heavy rain over the slopes of Haleakalā, falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour with locally heavier rain up to 3 inches per hour. “Water levels at Honopou Stream and Waikamoi Stream have risen significantly, and other streams have increased as well. Maui Emergency Management Agency reports that several roads remain closed, including the Piʻilani Highway near Nuʻu, South Kīhei Road near Kūlanihākoʻi Gulch, and Pūlehu Road above the landfill.