State under flood watch; flash flood warnings for Big Island, Kauai
Feb. 18—UPDATE: 10:30 a.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Kauai, effective until 1:15 p.m.
Radar showed bands of heavy rainfall moving over the island at 10:08 a.m., with rain falling at rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour.
The rainfall is expected to further elevate water levels in an already swollen Hanalei River, likely causing an overflow that will close Kuhio Highway.
10 a.m.
A flash flood warning for the Big Island has again been extended and is now scheduled to expire at 1 p.m.
Radar data at 9:43 a.m. indicated heavy rain over the southeast half of Hawaii island, though rain rates have slackened to about 1 inch per hour.
Heavy rainfall is expected to continue into tonight, NWS said.
Highway 11 at Kawa Flats, Wood Valley Road and Kaalaiki Road remain closed in the Kau District, while North Kulani Road in the Puna District was recently closed.
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The state remains under a flood watch through this afternoon as a powerful Kona low continues to deliver heavy rain in areas of the island chain.
All main Hawaiian islands are impacted by a plume of moisture that threatens heavy rainfall, the National Weather Service said.
"The soil moisture across the state remains saturated by recent rain, and any period of moderate or heavy showers could result in flash flooding," NWS said.
East and southwest sections of the Big Island continue to see heavy rainfall and a flash flood warning remains in effect for the island until 10 a.m.
Radar and rain gages at 7:22 a.m. indicated intense rainfall over the southeast half of the Big Island, with rain rates reaching 2 to 3 inches per hour over Hilo and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
Multiple roads remained closed this morning, including Highway 11 at Kawa Flats, Wood Valley Road and Kaalaiki Road.
Areas that could experience flash flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Volcano, Glenwood, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Mountain View, Wood Valley, Hawaiian Acres, Keaau, Orchidland Estates, Pahala, Papaikou, Pepeekeo, Pahoa, Punaluu Beach and Honomu.
