Maui News

The now “Post-Tropical Remnant Low Flossie” continues to weaken, but could still bring heavy showers to the western portion of the state.

As of midnight on Monday, there were 22 people seeking shelter at War Memorial Gym, 11 at Kamaliʻi Elementary; 8 at the Lahaina Civic Center, and 4 at Hāna High School, said officials with the Hawaiʻi Red Cross.

“The build up of green waste in the stream bed, caused the stream to clog and divert from its normal path,” said Maui Fire Services Chief Lee Mainaga.

Lightning that struck a home at Kipapa Place in Kahului, created a 10 inch hole in the roof of a two-story home and resulted in $1,000 in damage.

Maui County residents are asked to conserve as much water as possible until further notice. Widespread power outages have affected water service in Hana, Central and South Maui, along with portions of Upcountry Maui.

Areas still without power include small pockets of customers in Kula, Haʻikū, Makawao, Wailuku and Kahului where transformer damage or downed lines exist.

The state administration anticipates the release of some employees in Maui and Hawaiʻi Counties today and/or tomorrow, to the extent the storm progresses as currently anticipated, officials from the governor’s office announced in a press release this afternoon.

BREAKING: A 3.5 magnitude earthquake was reported off the windward coast of Oahu at 10:31 a.m. HST on Monday, July 29, 2013. There is NO tsunami expected according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

Maui park and trail closures include: Kula Forest Reserve; Makawao Forest Reserve; ʻĪao Valley State Monument Park; Waiʻānapanapa State Park; Mākena State Park; and Polipoli State Park.

Before the storm hits MECO advises that customers take the following precautions: Turn off and unplug unnecessary electrical equipment, especially sensitive electronics which could be damaged by a power surge.

The Maui of County Civil Defense agency announced the availability of shelters for those needing protection or refuge from the storm.

The following are closures in effect for Monday, July 29, 2013, in anticipation of the effects of Tropical Storm Flossie.

FLOOD ADVISORY for LANAI, in effect until 11:00 p.m. At 7:48 p.m. radar showed heavy rain over Lanai. The heavy rains are moving west at 15 to 20 mph. Other locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Manele Harbor and Lanai City.

Volunteer workers with the Hawaiʻi State Chapter of the American Red Cross are on standby for activation on Oʻahu, Maui and Hawaiʻi in response to Tropical Storm Flossie.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed an Emergency Proclamation on Sunday evening in preparation of Tropical Storm Flossie, which is expected to make landfall Monday morning on the eastern end of Hawaiʻi Island.

The port of Kahului will be closed to all traffic starting at midnight on Sunday, July 28, 2013, in anticipation of Tropical Storm Flossie, officials with the US Coast Guard announced. In addition to Kahului Harbor, the ports of Hilo and Kawaihae on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi will also be closed to traffic, officials said.

“Water should be used for health and sanitation purposes only as a precaution in case water or wastewater systems fail,” said county authorities in a press release. “All other uses should be delayed until after the storm passes,” officials said.

Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa outline contingency plans that are being implemented as Tropical Storm Flossie nears the Hawaiian Islands and Maui County.

The County of Maui activated its Emergency Operations Center at 7 a.m. on Sunday, July 28, 2013, in anticipation of Tropical Storm Flossie, which is due to reach the Hawaiian Islands on Monday morning.

The system was located 580 miles E of Kahului; 635 miles E of Kaunakakai; and 610 miles E of Lanai City at 8 a.m. It has maximum sustained winds near 65 mph. Heavy rainfall is expected as early as Monday morning over Hawaiʻi County and Monday afternoon over Maui County, spreading to Oʻahu by Monday night.