LIHU’E — Both lanes of Kuhio Highway were closed in places on Kauai’s north shore through Wednesday evening as the island is hunkered down under an onslaught of rain.
LIHU’E — Both lanes of Kuhio Highway were closed in places on Kauai’s north shore through Wednesday evening as the island is hunkered down under an onslaught of rain.
National Weather Service issued flood advisories for Kaua’i Tuesday. Those advisories turned into a Flash Flood Warning Tuesday evening. As of Wednesday evening, NWS has Kaua’i under a Flash Flood Watch that remains in effect through Friday afternoon.
Rising waters closed Kuhio Highway near Hanalei Bridge. That part of the road reopened at about 11:40 a.m. on Wednesday, but about an hour later, Kuhio Highway closed again — this time on the Princeville side of Hanalei bridge and at mile marker 4.5 near Waikoko. These closures are due to a landslide and falling debris.
Wednesday evening, NWS rain gages on Kaua’i were reporting over an inch of rainfall in most areas. In the 24-hour period ending at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the Mana gage recorded 1.68 inches, Waimea Tank was at 2.56 inches, Lihue Airport reported .58 inches, Wailua Ditch recorded 5.42 inches, Kapahi recorded 7.72 inches, Princeville Airport recorded 4.97 inches, and Wainiha reported 2.61 inches.
Motorists are advised to drive with caution and allow for extra travel time as traffic may be slow-going.
While the National Weather Service has cancelled the Flash Flood Warning for Kaua‘i, a Flash Flood Watch remains in effect through Friday afternoon. A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that leads to flash flooding. Residents and visitors should monitor the weather and be prepared to take action in the event that a Flash Flood Warning is issued.
