HILO, Hawaii – The morning began in Easy Hawaii with a steady – sometimes heavy rain – as the Big Island remains under a Hurricane Warning due to the approach of Hurricane Madeline.

The scene in Hilo was wet but not too windy, yet.

Water is already ponding on the ground. The National Weather Service warns it could get worse.

A flash flood watch is in effect. Deep tropical moisture associated with the madeline will begin to impact the Big Island this morning, bringing the threat of heavy rainfall and flooding through late Thursday. Total rain accumulations of 5 to 10 inches are possible, with isolated maximum amounts near 15 inches, especially over windward portions of the Big Island. This rainfall may lead to dangerous flash floods and mudslides.

Hurricane Madeline is just hours away from passing “dangerously close” to the Big Island, forecasters say.