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COURTESY NWS
Heavy rain has prompted a flash flood warning for Kauai this afternoon.
UPDATE: 3:10 p.m.
The National Weather Service has extended a flash flood warning for Kauai until 5:45 p.m. today.
“At 2:19 p.m., Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling over the eastern slopes of Kauai with additional showers moving in from the southwest,” the updated warning said. “Rain was falling at a rate of up to 1 to 2 inches per hour. In addition to the Hanalei River, arapid rise was also observed along the South Fork of the Wailua River. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly, especially near the Hanalei Bridge on the Kuhio Highway and near the mouth of the Wailua River. Kuhio Highway remains closed near the Hanalei Bridge.”
In addition, the NWS issued a special marine statement for Kauai’s leeward waters, warning of waterspouts and wind gusts 34 knots or greater until 4:30 p.m.
“At 2:23 p.m., a strong capable of producing waterspouts was located 10 nautical miles southwest of southern tip of Niihau, or 39 nautical miles southwest of Barking Sands, moving east at 10 knots,” the statement said.
Locations that may be impacted include the southern tip of Niihau.
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“Prepare for gusty winds, steep and fast-building seas, and blinding downpours. Stay low or go below, and make sure all on board are wearing life jackets,” forecasters said.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Kauai this afternoon as heavy rain falls over much of the island.
“At 1:20 p.m., Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling over the eastern slopes of Kauai with additional showers moving into the leeward side of the island,” the updated warning said. “Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour. In addition to the Hanalei River, a rapid rise was also observed along the South Fork of the Wailua River. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly, especially near the Hanalei Bridge on the Kuhio Highway and near the mouth of the Wailua River. “
Kuhio Highway near the Hanalei Bridge was closed due to floodwaters at about 12:45 p.m.
The warning is in effect until 2:45 p.m.
Forecasters said the public should expect flash flooding of small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses as well as other poor drainage and low-lying areas.
They said an approaching disturbance may trigger a few heavy showers through this afternoon and tonight, mainly over Kauai and Oahu.
“The tail end of a front will move down the island chain late Sunday through Monday, bringing breezy northeasterly trades and drier air in its wake,” forecasters said. “Breezy easterly trades will bring periods of windward and mauka showers through the rest of the week.”
Further from Hawaii, a weather system far southeast of the islands in the East Pacific has a 40% chance of developing into a tropical cyclone by the end of next week, according to the National Hurricane Center in Miami.
The system is expected to gradually develop into the a tropical depression late next week as it moves west-northwest into the Central Pacific and toward Hawaii
