UPDATE (9:30 p.m.) – The Flood Advisory for this area is no longer in effect.

(BIVN) – The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flood advisory for parts of Hawaii County until 9:15 p.m. HST.

At 6:19 p.m. HST, radar indicated thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the slopes northwest of Hilo town, forecasters said. Rain was falling at a rate of one to two inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to… Hilo, Paauilo, Laupahoehoe, Ookala, Pepeekeo, Honomu, Honokaa, Ninole, Hakalau, Papaikou and Pohakuloa Training Area.

The The National Weather Service warned residents in the area to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low lying areas prone to flooding. Rainfall and runoff could also cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.

This advisory may need to be extended beyond 9:15 p.m. HST if heavy rain persists, forecasters say.