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Flash flood warning again, Saddle Road closed
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UPDATE: (9:35 p.m.) Flash Flood Warning Cancelled. Saddle Road reopened however detour through old section. Drive carefully. HAWAII ISLAND – A small section of the Hamakua Coast is once again under a flash flood warning, while heavy rains and debris have closed Saddle Road for the next few hours. According to a 7:37 p.m. Nixle […]

UPDATE: (9:35 p.m.) Flash Flood Warning Cancelled. Saddle Road reopened however detour through old section. Drive carefully.

HAWAII ISLAND – A small section of the Hamakua Coast is once again under a flash flood warning, while heavy rains and debris have closed Saddle Road for the next few hours.

According to a 7:37 p.m. Nixle alert issued by the Hawaii County Police:

HawaiiCountyPoliceHawaii County Police, Dec. 31, 2013

“Hawaii Police Department advises you to AVOID Saddle Rd. (Hwy 200) due to a current flooding and debris on the roadway.

A flooding incident near Saddle Rd. (Highway 200) between the 41 mile marker and Highway 190 junction (both sections of the old and new Saddle Rd.) has closed Saddle Rd. and will require a detour of traffic for the next 2 hours.

Please use Highway 19 or Highway 11 (Mamalahoa Highway) as an alternate route.”

Meanwhile, a portion of the Hamakua Coast is once again under a flash flood warning until 9:30 p.m. According to a 6:24 p.m. message from the National Weather Service:

National Weather ServiceNational Weather Service, Dec. 31, 2013

“At 618 pm HST… Radar showed heavy rain near Honokaa… Or about 38 miles northwest of Hilo. The area of heavy rain was nearly stationary.

* other locations in the warning include but are not limited to Waipio Valley.

Precautionary/preparedness actions…

A flash flood warning means that flash flooding is imminent or occurring in streams… Roads… And low lying areas. Move to higher ground now.

Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle or on foot. Turn around… Don’t drown.

This flash flood warning replaces the flood advisory that was in effect for the Island of Hawaii in Hawaii County.

Runoff from this storm may also cause rock and mudslides in steep terrain.

This warning may need to be extended beyond 930 pm hst if flash flooding persists.”