Flood Watch Extended, Flood Advisory for Molokaʻi

Wailuku Rain. 8/18/15. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Maui Now Staff

(Update: 8:45 a.m., 8/19/15)

The National Weather Service has extended the Flood Advisory for the island of Molokaʻi until 11:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015.  At 8:48 a.m., radar showed heavy rain spreading across multiple areas of the island.

A Flash Flood Watch also remains in effect for the smaller islands from Maui through Niʻihau for today through 6 p.m.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say a lingering moist and unstable atmosphere over the smaller islands will support the development of slow-moving heavy downpours that could lead to flash flooding.

(Update: 7:24 a.m., 8/19/15)

The Flood Advisory for the Island of Lanai has been cancelled.

(Update: 6:29 a.m., 8/19/15)

The National Weather Service has extended the Flood Advisory for the island of Molokaʻi until 9:45 a.m., and the island of Lānaʻi until 9:30 a.m. Forecasters with the NWS say radar at 6:18 a.m. showed heavy rain near Hālawa Valley (about 27 miles NW of Kahului).

On Lānaʻi, radar showed heavy rain across northeast sections of the island. The advisory includes, but is not limited to Kiolohia or “Shipwreck” Beach.

A Flash Flood Watch also remains in effect for the smaller islands from Maui through Niʻihau for today through 6 p.m.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say a lingering moist and unstable atmosphere over the smaller islands will support the development of slow-moving heavy downpours that could lead to flash flooding.

(Update: 4:44 a.m., 8/19/15)

A Flood Advisory has been issued for Molokaʻi until 6:45 a.m., and for Lānaʻi until 6:30 a.m.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say radar at 4:36 a.m. showed heavy rain near Hālawa Valley with up to two inches of rain occurring in this area during the past hour.  A stream gauge on Hālawa Stream recently recorded a sharp rise in water levels.

On Lānaʻi, radar showed heavy rain near Kōʻele with 2 to 4 inches falling over the same period.

Authorities say additional water level rises will be likely at Hālawa Stream if heavy rains continue in this area.

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

(Update: 3:21 a.m., 8/19/15)

The National Weather Service has extended a Flash Flood Watch for the smaller islands from Maui through Niʻihau for today.

Forecasters with the National Weather Service say a lingering moist and unstable atmosphere over the smaller islands will support the development of slow-moving heavy downpours that could lead to flash flooding.

(Update: 12:12 a.m., 8/19/15)

The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Advisory for the Island of Molokaʻi until 2:15 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015.

At 12:06 a.m. radar showed heavy rain over the west end of the island, near and SW of Maunaloa. The area of rain was nearly stationary.

Radar estimates indicate that 1 to 3 inches of rain has fallen in this area during the past hour.

Other locations in the advisory include but are not limited to the Molokaʻi Airport and Kepuhi.

(Update 8:30 p.m.)

The Flood Advisory for Maui has been extended to 10:15 p.m.

(Update 7:45 p.m.)

The Flood Advisory for Molokai has been cancelled.

(Update 5:30 p.m.)

At 5:12 pm. radar showed moderate to heavy showers developing over western and central Molokai with rain rates as high as 2 inches per hour.

These showers were nearly stationary. Other locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to Kualapuu, Kalaupapa, Hoolehua and the area near the Molokai airport.

(Update 5:15 p.m.)

The National Weather Service has extended the Flood Advisory for Maui until 8:15 p.m.

At 5:05 p.m. radar showed moderate to heavy showers moving northeastward over Maui.

The heaviest showers are affecting leeward west Maui from Ma’alaea to Lahaina and south Maui from Hana to Kaupo just east of Ulupalakua. The advisory includes the entire island of Maui.

(Update: 3:30 p.m.)

The National Weather Service has continued the Flash Flood Watch for Maui County, in effect until 6 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2015.

A Flood Advisory remains in effect for the island of Maui until 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015, but may need to be extended if heavy rain persists.

As a precaution, the public is reminded to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.  Rainfall and runoff can cause hazardous conditions, reduced visibility and poor braking action.

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

A Flood Advisory that was in effect for Lāna’i has since been cancelled.

(Update: 2:00 p.m.)

The Flood Advisory for the island of Maui has been extended to 5:15 p.m.

At 1:50 p.m. radar showed pockets of moderate to heavy rain continuing to develop over the island of Maui and this activity is expected to continue through the afternoon.

(Update: 1:45 p.m.)

A flood advisory is posted for Lāna’i until 4:45 p.m.

Radar showed moderate to heavy rain just east of Lāna’i City and over the northeast slope of Lāna’i. Rainfall was moving toward the island from the southwest.

(Update: 11 a.m.)

A flood advisory is posted for Maui until 2:15 p.m.

The National Weather Service reports that at 11:10 a.m., radar showed slow-moving heavy showers developing in several areas of Maui, including windward west Maui from Wailuku to Honokōhau.

Other heavy showers are impacting the area from Hāna to ʻUlupalakua with additional showers expected between Kīhei and Wailea.

The NWS states that heavy showers are also expected to rapidly develop through early afternoon.

As a precaution, the public is reminded to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas prone to flooding.  Rainfall and runoff can cause hazardous conditions, reduced visibility and poor braking action.

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

In addition to the Flood Advisory, there is also a Flood Watch in effect for all islands through tonight. 

This advisory may need to be extended beyond 2:15 p.m. if heavy rain persists.