LIHU‘E — Locally heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms will affect Kaua‘i and the western islands of Hawai‘i at least through today and possibly into Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. In its forecast Monday, the NWS said an unstable
LIHU‘E — Locally heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms will affect Kaua‘i and the western islands of Hawai‘i at least through today and possibly into Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.
In its forecast Monday, the NWS said an unstable atmosphere, a slowly approaching front, and abundance moisture being moved up from the south by strengthening southerly winds will continue to bring unsettled weather to the state.
Thunder and lightning accompanied overnight rains, generating a flash flood warning at about 6 a.m. which was sent to residents via the county’s emergency alert system. Ponding on roads and localized flooding delayed some people from returning to work following the Christmas weekend.
This was accompanied by a special marine warning urging boaters around the island to return to safe harbor due to lightning strikes and strong winds associated with thunderstorms.
The Kekaha Landfill was closed Monday at about 8 a.m. due to extreme weather conditions, but re-opened around 1 p.m. after conditions improved, according to county officials.
Residents flocked to the mouth of Waimea River, noting the torrent of brown water that flowed into the ocean. Some said there was flooding in Waimea Valley, but with the rain subsiding most areas drained quickly.
County officials reported homes were flooded along Maile Road in Waimea Valley with the situation improving by mid-day.
The drainage ditch to the Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor was opened to mitigate flooding in the Waimea area, county officials said, and more flooding was reported along the Koke‘e Road with rocks and debris in the wash.
County officials said until further notice green waste will not be accepted at any of its transfer stations except for Lihu‘e due to safety concerns created by very muddy conditions in the drop-off areas. For more information, call the Solid Waste Division at 241-4837.
The Kilauea HI-5 bottle redemption center was closed Monday due to heavy rains. According to a county release, it will remain closed until further notice.
The Hanalei Bridge was closed at 8 a.m. Monday due to flooding over the Hanalei River. The bridge was reopened around 1 p.m. The NWS reported that other streams over the island have also risen.
Several rain gauge stations showed more than two inches falling over the three-hour period from 5 a.m. to 8 a.m., according to the NWS.
Kaua‘i received 6.80 inches of rain at the Mt. Wai‘ale‘ale rain gauge, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This covered the 24-hour period ending at 2 p.m., Monday. Of the 6.80-inch total, 3.19 inches fell in the 12 hours prior to 2 p.m., Monday.
Waimea Heights recorded 2.40 inches, Pu‘u Opa‘e had 3.70 inches, Kalaheo recorded 1.24 inches, ‘Oma‘o at 1.05 inches, Kapahi at 1.57 inches, the Hanalei River at 3.90 inches, Koke‘e at 3.90 inches and the Kilohana gage had 3.30 inches.
The heavy rainfall created a strong runoff in the vicinity of Lele Road and Kaumuali‘i Highway in Hanapepe with state highway crews monitoring the drainage canals throughout the morning. Runoffs were also reported at the Hanapepe Road and Kaumuali‘i Highway junctions.
More localized flooding was reported along the Ala Kino‘iki, or Koloa bypass road, in parts of Koloa, and on Maluhia road early Monday morning, county officials said in a release.
Trade winds may return as early as Thursday as high pressure builds northeast of the state with showers focusing over windward and mountain sections, according to the NWS.
The weather service issued a flash flood warning Monday evening for Honolulu County. A flash flood watch is in effect for Ni‘ihau, Kaua‘i and O‘ahu through 6 p.m. today.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
