Severe thunderstorm watch covers Oahu, Maui counties

Dec. 20—UPDATE: 12:20 p.m.

The severe thunderstorm warning for Oahu was lifted at noon but the National Weather Service's flash flood warning for Hawaii island, and the flood advisory for Oahu remain in effect.

Additionally, about 4,420 Hawaiian Electric customers are without power in Nanakuli and Waianae. Crew are working to restore power, the company said.

The Big Island warning is in effect until 1:30 p.m.

"At 11:04 a.m., radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling over the west side of the Big Island.," the warning said. "The highest of rain rates were 1 to 2 inches per hour over the South Kohala and North Kona Districts. This rain is occurring over ground saturated from earlier rainfall. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly, especially along the Kohala Mountain Road, Highway 190 near Mile Mark 5 and 6, and Puako."

The Oahu flood advisory is in effect until 1:45 p.m.

"At 10:29 a.m., radar indicated that heavy rainfall continues with rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour over Central and North Oahu. Additional rainfall will move over the island from the west over the next several hours," the advisory said.

The entire state remains under a flood watch and a high wind warning as the "kona low" system moves over the islands today.

Honolulu and Maui counties also remain under a severe thunderstorm watch until 2 p.m. today.

11:45 a.m.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Oahu until noon.

"At 11:35 a.m., a severe thunderstorm was located near Waipahu and Mililani, moving east at 55 mph," officials said.

Wind gusts up to 60 mph are possible, they said, adding "expect damage to roofs, siding, and trees."

The warning covers Honolulu, Waimanalo, Haleiwa, Wahiawa, Waialua, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii Kai, Kaaawa, Ahuimanu, Punaluu, Wheeler Field and Kapolei.

"For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building," the warning said.

11:09 a.m.

A flash flood warning has been posted for Hawaii island.

The flash flood warning is in effect through 1:30 p.m. today. Radar and rain gauges at 11:04 a.m. showed rain falling at rates up to 1 to 2 inches per hour over the South Kohala and North Kona districts, the National Weather Service said.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook, Waikoloa Village, Kapaau, Puuanahulu, Holualoa, Honalo, Kalaoa, Pohakuloa Training Area, Kainaliu, Kahaluu-Keauhou, Kealakekua, Puako, Honaunau, Kawaihae, Kamuela, Kohala Ranch, Waipio Valley, Waimanu Valley and Pololu Valley, weather officials said.

10:59 a.m.

The summit district of Haleakala National Park and the Pipiwai Trail in the Kipahulu District will remain closed as a result of the severe weather, according to a news release.

All reservations for Hosmer Grove Campground, wilderness cabins and wilderness tent camping for Dec. 19 have been canceled. All sunrise reservations on Dec. 20 have been canceled.

Haleakala will reopen once weather conditions improve.

10:48 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Hawaii County until 1:30 p.m. as excessive rainfall pelts Hawaii island.

At 10:17 a.m. radar indicated a new band of heavy rain had moved onshore from the southwest, the weather service said. Rain rates were 1 to 2 inches per hour over portions of North Kona and South Kona districts.

Forecasters said rainfall is expected to continue into the afternoon over the west side of the island.

Kailua-Kona, Captain Cook, Waikoloa Village, Kapaau, Puuanahulu, Holualoa, Honalo, Kalaoa, Pohakuloa Training Area, Kainaliu, Kahaluu-Keauhou, Kealakekua, Puako, Honaunau, Kawaihae, Kamuela, Kohala Ranch, Waipio Valley, Waimanu Valley and Pololu Valley are areas forecasted to experience flooding.

The flood advisory for Oahu has been extended until 1:45 p.m. today as excessive rainfall continues.

On Oahu, doppler radar showed scattered thunderstorms over the island at about 10:30 a.m. with the strongest storms near Laie and Pearl City, moving east at 25 mph.

Some locations projected to experience flooding include Wahiawa, Wheeler Field, Schofield Barracks, Mililani, Kunia, Waikele, Waialua, Waipahu, Pearl City, Haleiwa, Waikane, Punaluu, Hauula, Aiea, Waiahole, Waianae, Nanakuli, Halawa, Makakilo and Laie.

A flood watch is also in effect for Honolulu through early Tuesday morning.

10:25 a.m.

Road closures have been reported in North Kohala on Highway 250 (Kohala Mountain Road) near the 16-mile marker, Highway 270 (Akoni Pule Highway) near the 24 and 26-mile markers in Honokaa on Lehua Street and Highway 130 at the 12-mile marker in Puna due to debris, Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth said on his Facebook page.

Road crews are responding to clear debris.

Waipio Valley Road also remains closed today, except to residents and farmers.

9:55 a.m.

The National Weather Service issued a special weather statement for Oahu. Strong thunderstorms will affect the island through 10:15 a.m.

Radar at 9:52 a.m. showed a line of strong thunderstorms extending across Oahu near Kahuku and Laie, across Central Oahu near Schofield Barracks, to West Oahu near Waianae and Maili. The line of strong storms was measured moving east at 40 mph, the NWS said.

Weather officials warned of wind gusts up to 55 mph and pea-sized hail.

9:30 a.m.

Puuhonua o Honaunau and Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Parks on Hawaii island will be closed today due to strong winds, rough surf and heavy rains, according to a National Parks Services news release this morning.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE

Severe thunderstorm watches have been extended for most of Hawaii as flood advisories remain in effect for Oahu, Maui and Hawaii island.

The severe thunderstorm watches are in effect for Oahu and Kauai and Maui counties through 2 p.m. today, according to the National Weather Service.

A severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch area.

Severe thunderstorms produce damaging winds of 58 mph or higher or destructive hail the size of quarters of larger, the NWS said.

Meanwhile, flood advisories are in effect for Oahu, the island of Maui and Hawaii island through 10:45 a.m., 11 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., respectively.

Radar at 7:41 a.m. showed heavy rain over north Oahu. The highest rates were 1 to 2 inches per hour over the Waianae Range with intense rainfall cores moving rapidly toward the northeast, weather officials said.

On Hawaii island, a winter weather advisory remains in effect for the island's summits through 6 a.m. Tuesday. Blizzard-like conditions are possible with snow accumulation up to 8 inches and winds gusting as high as 100 mph.

A high wind warning remains in effect for all islands through this afternoon.

High winds wreaked havoc on Oahu overnight, causing numerous power outages across the island.

Hawaiian Electric crews responded to numerous weather-related power outages on Oahu Sunday night through early today, according to spokeswoman Shannon Tangonan.

In Kaneohe, about 8,580 customers suffered an outage due to high winds late Sunday. Crews restored power to Kaneohe customers early today.

Crews also responded to outages in Waianae, Mililani, Kailua and other areas Sunday.

About 1,570 customers in the Hawaii Kai, Kalama Valley and Waimanalo areas suffered a power outage early today due to a downed pole near Kalanianaole Highway and Inoaole Street.

Crews restored power to a majority of the customers by 7:30 a.m. About 410 customers in the area remain without power until crews replace the downed pole.

Kalanianaole Highway near Bellows Air Force Station was also closed this morning due to downed power lines.

In Maui, Hawaiian Electric crews are responding to storm-related outages in parts of Upcountry including Olinda and Piiholo, Kula and Ulupalakua as well as small pockets in the Haiku, Olowalu, Lahaina and Wailuku areas, Tangonan said.

A high wind warning remains in effect for all Hawaiian islands until 6 p.m. today, according to the National Weather Service.

Southwest winds of 25 to 40 miles per hour with localized gusts of up to 60 mph are forecasted especially along the north and east slopes of the mountains.

The weather service warned the public that strong winds may blow down trees and power lines and damage roofs.

A high wind warning for the Haleakala summit is in effect through 6 a.m. Tuesday as southwest winds of 60 to 80 mph and higher gusts are expected. At the Hawaii island summits, the high wind warning is in effect until 6 a.m. Wednesday due to forecasted southwest-to-west winds of 70 to 100 mph and higher gusts.

The storm system led Honolulu officials to partially activated the city's Emergency Operations Center on Sunday night in anticipation of damaging winds overnight and strong showers and thunderstorms today.

"We are closely tracking the storm and coordinating with the various city, state, and federal officials to help keep the public safe," Mayor Rick Blangiardi said in a news release late Sunday night. "Because this storm has the potential to disrupt the morning commute, we urge residents to drive with caution. Stay informed of current conditions and download the HNL Info app on their phone to receive important information and alerts."

The city's Emergency Operations Center is monitoring the severe weather event and is preparing to respond to support emergency and safety operations on Oahu if needed, officials said.