Severe thunderstorms impacted the Westside of Kauai early Sunday morning. Makaha Ridge received the heaviest rainfall with 5.41 inches falling within a 12-hour period ending Sunday at 2 p.m. Mana received 4.31 inches with Waimea Heights recording 4.08 inches. The
Severe thunderstorms impacted the Westside of Kauai early Sunday morning.
Makaha Ridge received the heaviest rainfall with 5.41 inches falling within a 12-hour period ending Sunday at 2 p.m. Mana received 4.31 inches with Waimea Heights recording 4.08 inches.
The NWS reported 2.73 inches falling in the 12-hour period ending at 2 p.m. Sunday.
Comparatively, Mount Waialeale reported 1.5 inches and Kapahi reported 1.98 inches. No figures were available for Princeville Airport, or Moloaa Dairy.
A flash flood warning was posted at 7 a.m., effective until 10 a.m. with a severe thunderstorm watch being in effect until 1 p.m. Sunday.
As the storm moved eastward toward the central Hawaiian islands, the only reports were of minor flooding on roadways, the closure of Kekaha Landfill and green waste not being accepted at the Hanalei, Kapaa and Hanapepe transfer stations due to the extreme weather conditions, stated a county release.
Treated effluent was discharged into the Kikiaola Small Boat Harbor after the Kikiaola irrigation ditch was opened, allowing storm water mixed with treated wastewater from the Waimea Wastewater Treatment Plant to flow into the harbor, a county release stated. Officials estimate up to 300,000 gallons of treated wastewater may have been involved in the precautionary process.
The state Department of Health, Clean Water Branch acknowledged the discharge, noting warning signs were posted and the public is advised to stay out of harbor waters until warning signs have been taken down.
The Clean Water Branch also issued a brown water advisory for the island of Kauai after determining that heavy storm water flows occurred at Waimea, Nawiliwili and Hanalei.
The public is advised to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris.
The weather was caused by a cold front passing over the islands. The NWS forecasts the front to weaken near the central islands through Monday.
As the front dissipates Tuesday, light trade winds will return with moderate trade winds and windward showers for the remainder of the week.
