LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i received the brunt of a storm system that produced more than 10 inches of rain in some areas, which prompted road, bridge and school closures. The National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a flash flood warning for Kaua‘i
LIHU‘E — Kaua‘i received the brunt of a storm system that produced more than 10 inches of rain in some areas, which prompted road, bridge and school closures.
The National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a flash flood warning for Kaua‘i that was in effect from 6 p.m. Tuesday until 2:15 p.m. Wednesday. The Garden Isle remained under a flash flood watch through Wednesday afternoon.
Numerous rain gauges on the North Shore and Eastside recorded more than 10 inches of rain in a 24-hour period ending at 3 p.m. Hanalei recorded more than 17 inches of rain, the Wailua Ditch recorded 12.16 inches of rain, and Mt. Wai‘ale‘ale recorded 11.16 inches of rain, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The Hanalei Bridge, Pu‘upilo Road in Wailua Homesteads and Haua‘ala Road in Keapana were closed to traffic Wednesday. All roadways were reopened Wednesday afternoon.
Classes at Hanalei Elementary School were canceled Wednesday due to dangerous road conditions, and school bus service from Ha‘ena to Hanalai was suspended due to the bridge closure.
Classes are scheduled to resume today, and normal bus transportation services will resume, according to Department of Education officials.
The weather prompted the state Department of Land and Natural Resources to close Na Pali State Park and the Kalalau Trail Wednesday morning, after Kaua‘i firefighters helped evacuate 12 hikers who were stranded in Hanakapi‘ai Valley.
Rescue 3 personnel aboard Air 1 flew into the area at around 7:30 a.m. after being notified of two missing hikers.
Once on scene, rescuers located 12 hikers unable to cross Hanakapi‘ai Stream due to the high water level.
All 12 hikers were airlifted out of the valley without injury.
DLNR spokeswoman said the parks will reopen when the weather system is cleared. The parks remained closed as of press time.
Heavy ponding was reported at Kuhio Highway in the vicinity of Papaloa Road; the intersection of Kuhio and Kapule Highway; the intersection of Rice Street and Lala Road; and the Kapa‘a roundabout.
Traffic between Wailua Golf Course and Hanama‘ulu slowed to a crawl Wednesday morning as crews worked to cleanup mud debris at the Kuhio Highway and Kapule Highway intersection.
A water conservation notice was also issued for Hanalei Tuesday night as members of the county Department of Water worked to identify the reason for low water pressure in the area. Crews worked to refill the low water tank Wednesday.
Green waste was not accepted at all refuse stations, except Hanapepe, due to muddy conditions created by the weather, and scrap metal and appliance collection at the Kapa‘a station was closed.
As of press time, the refuse stations except for Hanapepe remained closed. Call Nick Lum at 212-4683 for an update.
The state Department of Health issued a brown water advisory, and urged people to stay out of flood waters and storm water run-offs. Beachgoers are advised to stay out of brown, murky waters.
Homeowners who experienced damage due to the weather can contact the American Red Cross in Lihu‘e at 245-4919 for help.
A flash flood watch was in effect for O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i and Lana‘i through Wednesday night.
Today’s weather will be mostly cloudy with likely showers.
