HONOLULU (KHON2) — Heavy rains slammed parts of the state on Friday as a storm system continues to impact the state.
Currently, the National Weather Service has multiple watches, warning and advisories in place:
Flash Flood Warning
Maui County – until 4:30 p.m.
The NWS said their radar indicated heavy rain over eastern Maui, and along the lower slopes of Haleakala from Kihei to Keanae. Rain was falling at a rate of one to three inches per hour. NWS said flooding in drainages, streams, rivers, roads, properties and other low lying areas. Public road closures are possible in some areas as well as landslides possible in steep terrain.
Oahu – until 4:15 p.m.
The NWS said the Waiahole Stream reported a rapid rise in water level and flooding is occurring between Waiahole Valley Road and Kamehameha Highway. The road was closed for about an hour, and has since reopened.
In the Makakilo and Nanakuli areas, a large power outage has been reported following a transformer being damaged by lightning.
Winter Weather Advisory remains in place for Big Island summits.
Flood Advisory is in place for most of the state, except for Hawaii Island through Friday evening.
On Friday afternoon, heavy rains drenched windward and leeward sides of Oahu causing Kamehameha Highway to flood near Waikane and Waiahole. Police were forced to shut down the road in the area as stream levels continued to rise.
The City and County of Honolulu said crews have been busy the last few days clearing streams from Kaneohe to Wahiawa ahead of the heavy rains.
Visitors were seen taking advantage of the sun while it lasted.
“It’s been super nice, rain has been on and off, and now it’s sunny again so we’re seeing outbursts of both but going to go on a quick hike make the most of it,” said Scott Lamothe, a visitor from Wisconsin.
Over on Maui, Upcountry seeing heavy rain fall Friday afternoon with ponding on roads from Pukalani to Haiku.
Around noon on Friday, a water spout was seen off Kapalua between Molokai and Maui.
Special Marine statements have been issued throughout the day by the weather service.
“Staying off the roads is a good idea if there’s a flood advisory,” said Amos Lonokailua-Hewett, Maui Emergency Management Agency administrator. “Staying out of the flood areas, staying off the road, I mean, it’s dangerous just driving through the the rain events.”
He said county crews have been busy clearing culverts and problem areas ahead of the storm.
On Thursday, Kula residents sent in videos of roads turning into rivers.
Early Friday morning, the storm slammed into Kauai forcing officials to shut down Hanalei bridge.
County officials said DLNR closed the Kalalau trail and Kauai Ocean Safety closed Kee tower on the north shore.
They said Dept. of Transportation crews are working on clearing debris from Wailua bridge.
Officials are asking hikers to reconsider plans over the next few days and to avoid stream beds.
Kauai also is advising residents and visitors that Kuhio Highway in the area of Hanalei bridge is prone to flooding and can close during a flash flood warning.
Other flood prone areas include Wailua River near the river mouth as well as homes along the river front on Anolani Street. There have been confirmed reports of nuisance flooding in the area Friday morning.
Koloa/Poipu in the area of Aloha Place and Kealia/Keapana (north Kapaa) are also prone to flooding but no issues were reported on Friday.
The NWS said these conditions are expected to continue on Saturday before a break in the rain on Sunday; but another storm system is expected to impact the state starting on Tuesday.