Flooding in the Waimea River caused by heavy rain Monday swept some paddling canoes out to sea from the river bank, according to a Kaua’i County Fire Department official. Firefighters from the Waimea station were summoned to help retrieve the
Flooding in the Waimea River caused by heavy rain Monday swept some paddling canoes out to sea from the river bank, according to a Kaua’i County Fire Department official.
Firefighters from the Waimea station were summoned to help retrieve the canoes, the official said. It is not known whether the vessels were recovered.
The National Weather Service said drier weather should be in store for Kaua’i later this week after thunderstorms dumped about three inches of rain over some areas from noon to 3 p.m. Monday.
That caused flooding in streets in Waimea and resulted in the closing of both Kuhio and Kaumualii highways for short periods.
Rain was heavy over mountain areas at Kokee and Wainiha. Weather Service meteorologist Bob Farrell said it was probably heavier in the central mountains and near Mt. Wai’ale’ale.
The Waimea River pushed through the sandbar at its mouth and was filled with debris. Manoa Stream near Haena Beach Park ran deep enough that the highway to Haena was closed.
There were no reports of serious property damage or homes flooded, although some businesses had to mop out their storefronts.
