Oahu, Kauai, Niihau under flood watch until Tuesday

Feb. 20—UPDATE: 6:20 p.m.

The flood advisory for Oahu has been extended to 8:30 p.m., forecasters said.

"At 5:17 p.m., radar indicated scattered heavy showers continuing to develop across central, southern, and western Oahu, with rain rates of 1 to 1.5 inches per hour," the National Weather Service advisory said. "Additional heavy showers are forming just south of Oahu and will likely affect the island this evening. Grounds are saturated from recent rainfall, and water will quickly run off."

The advisory covers the entire island of Oahu.

A flood advisory for Kauai remains in effect until 7:30 p.m., while Oahu, Niihau and Kauai are under a flood watch through Tuesday afternoon.

4:35 p.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has placed the island of Kauai under a flood advisory through 7:30 p.m., while Oahu's flood advisory is in effect until 5:30 p.m.

Niihau, Kauai and Oahu also remain under a flood watch through Tuesday afternoon.

"Deepening low pressure west of the state will produce an increase in heavy showers and thunderstorms over the western end of the state through tonight. Given that soils are nearly saturated, flash flooding may develop anywhere on Oahu," the flood watch says.

Kauai, meanwhile, was seeing heavy rain over the south shore at around 4:30 p.m. with rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour, according to the advisory. "The heavy rain will continue to spread across the entire island through the remainder of the afternoon."

All flood advisories and watches for Hawaii Island have been lifted.

3:41 p.m.

A flood watch for Oahu, Kauai and Niihau is in effect until Tuesday afternoon due to the possibility of excessive rainfall. A flood watch means conditions are favorable for flash flooding.

Affected Oahu areas include Waianae mountains and coast, North Shore, Olomana, Central Oahu, East Honolulu, metro Honolulu, Ewa Plain, Windward and Leeward Koolau. North, east, south, southwest Kauai and Niihau are also affected.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu said deepening low-pressure west of the state will produce more heavy showers and thunderstorms over the western side of the state through tonight. "Given that soils are nearly saturated, flash flooding may develop anywhere on Oahu," according to the statement.

Oahu is also under a flood advisory until 5:30 p.m.

According to the National Weather Service, the radar at 3:21 p.m. indicated scattered heavy showers across central and southern Oahu with more rainfall moving into the windward areas. Forecasters reported rain falling at a rate of 1 to 1.5 inches per hour.

Some locations expected to experience flooding include Honolulu, Mililani, Pearl City, Waikele, Wahiawa, Wheeler Field, Waipahu, Kunia, Aiea, Halawa, Waiahole, Schofield Barracks, Waikane, Salt Lake, Kahaluu, Moanalua, Ahuimanu, Iroquois Point, Ewa Beach and Kaaawa.

Meanwhile, Hawaii island is still under a flood advisory, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency.

In a statement, Hawaii County Civil Defense Agency said a flood advisory continues for Hawaii island with heavy showers in Hilo, Puna and Kau areas, while thundershowers were reported in the Kohala and Kona areas.

Flooding has prompted the closure of Highway 11 between mile markers 59 and 60 in Kawa Flats, Wood Valley Road and Kaalaiki-Cane Haul Road in Kau.

1:25 p.m.

A flood advisory has been posted for Hawaii island through 3:45 p.m. today.

At 12:33 p.m., radar and automated gauges showed persistent moderate rain falling at rates up to 1 inch per hour along the sloped of the Hilo, Puna and Kau districts, the NWS said.

Also, spotty, heavy showers and thunderstorms have developed across the leeward side of Hawaii island with localized rainfall up to 2 inches per hour.

12:30 p.m.

A flood advisory is in effect for Oahu through 3:30 p.m. today.

At 12:20 p.m., radar showed areas of heavy rain — mainly over West Oahu near Kaena Point — falling at a rate of 1 to 1.5 inches per hour, the National Weather Service said.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Honolulu, Mililani, Pearl City, Waipahu, Waiahole, Kahaluu, Moanalua, Ahuimanu, Ewa Beach, Kaneohe, Maunawili, Kaaawa and Makua Valley.

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A flood watch is in effect for Kauai County through Tuesday afternoon.

A deepening area of low pressure west of Hawaii will spawn an increase in heavy showers and thunderstorms over West Kauai this afternoon and tonight, according to the National Weather Service. Flash flooding may occur anywhere on Kauai and Niihau due to soils that are nearly saturated.

Flood-prone roads and low-lying areas may be closed due to elevated runoff and overflowing streams, weather officials said. However, urban areas may receive more flooding and property damage because of rapid runoff.

At the other end of the main Hawaiian islands, a winter weather advisory is in effect for the summits of Hawaii island through 6 p.m. Tuesday.

"Icy roads will create hazardous driving conditions," the NWS said in a bulletin today.

A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow, sleet or freezing rain will cause travel difficulties. Motorists should be prepared for slippery roads and use caution while driving.