Flood Advisory for MAUI and MOLOKA‘I

Background radar image courtesy NOAA/NWS.

Update: 5:35 p.m. HST Saturday, March 14, 2020

The National Weather Service has issued a FLOOD ADVISORY for Maui until 8:15 p.m. and Molokaʻi until 8:30 p.m. tonight, Saturday, March 14, 2020.

At 5:17 p.m. HST, radar indicated heavy showers showers with rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour over windward slopes of both west and east Maui. Showers are expected to continue into the evening, leading to rises in streams.

At 5:34 p.m. HST, radar indicated heavy rain near Kualapuʻu. Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to: Kalaupapa National Park, Pūkoʻo, Hālawa Valley, Kaunakakai, Kamalo, Kawela and ʻUalapuʻe.

The public is advised 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.

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. This advisory may need to be extended if heavy rain persists.

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