Top News| Weather

Star-Advertiser staff

Posted March 07, 2017

March 7, 2017

Updated March 7, 2017 8:11pm

COURTESY KEVIN OLSON

Vehicles were stuck during flooding this afternoon in South Kihei.

COURTESY KEVIN OLSON

Flood waters rose this afternoon in South Kihei.

COURTESY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HONOLULU

Radar shows storms over Hawaii this afternoon.

Update 7:30 p.m.

The state remained under a flash flood watch through late Wednesday night, the National Weather Service said.

A flash flood warning for Maui expired at 7:30 p.m.

While heavy showers could develop over all the islands, the main threat for heavy rain will be along a band of moisture stalled over Maui and the northern part of Hawaii island, the weather service said.

That band could drift northward tonight.

The weather service warned that heavy downpours could lead streams to quickly overflow and cause life-threatening flash flooding.

Update 5 p.m.

The island of Maui is under a flash flood warning until 7:30 p.m., forecasters said.

The warning includes, but is not limited to, Kahului, Kihei, Waikapu, Maalaea, Pauwela, Wailea, Huelo, Paia, Makawao, Puunene, Kula and Waiehu.

At 4:37 p.m., flooding from Kulanihakoi Gulch has closed South Kihei Road between Kaonoulu and Kulanihakoi Street, the warning from the National Weather Service said. Heavy rainfall is also moving over the leeward Haleakala slopes from the southwest. This rainfall can produce flash flooding in normally dry gulches from Makena to Kihei and in the Keokea and Kula areas of Upcountry Maui.

Maui Police said this afternoon that sections of South Kihei Road were closed due to flooding, with water up to 2 feet deep in some areas.

The entire state is under a flash flood watch until Wednesday night.

Update 4:10 p.m.

The entire state is under a flash flood watch until late Wednesday night, forecasters at the National Weather Service in Honolulu said this afternoon.

While isolated heavy showers could develop over all islands, the main threat for heavy showers and thunderstorms will be along a band of moisture currently stalled over Maui and northern Big Island. This band may drift northward on Wednesday night, the advisory said.

East Maui also remains under a more-immediate flood advisory.

Maui Police said this afternoon that sections of South Kihei Road were closed due to flooding, with water up to 2 feet deep in some areas.

Previous coverage

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a flood advisory for East Maui this afternoon.

The advisory, which is in effect until 5:15 p.m., includes Kahului, Kihei, Pauwela, Wailea, Huelo, Paia, Makawao, Puunene, Kula, Pukalani, Haliimaile and Ulupalakua.

At 2:20 p.m., radar indicated areas of heavy showers and thunderstorms along both windward and leeward slopes of Haleakala. The heaviest showers were producing rain rates in excess of 2 inches per hour, the advisory said. Expect continued areas of heavy showers and possible rises in streams through the afternoon.

Forecasters said the advisory maybe extended if heavy rain persists.

The weather service also issued a wind advisory for Big Island summits until 6 p.m. Wednesday, saying southwest winds as high as 50 mph are expected. Motorists, especially those in high profile vehicles, are urged to drive with extra caution, the advisory said.

Originally posted here:

Flash flood watch covers all islands - Honolulu Star-Advertiser