(BIVN) – Heavy snow is falling on Hawaii Island summits, the rest of the Big Island faces a Flash Flood Watch, and “adverse weather conditions” even closed the West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill earlier today.

Officials at the Department of Environmental Management say lightning strikes forced the closure of the landfill off Queen Ka‘ahumanu Highway in Waikoloa, also known as the Pu‘uanahulu Landfill. The closure was only temporary.

Deputy Solid Waste Division Chief Mike Kaha said the lightning also knocked the phones offline. Since the landfill sits at a higher elevation than its surroundings, officials thought it best to shut it down. The landfill since reopened.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch starting this afternoon through Thursday for the Island of Hawaii. A Flash Flood Watch means flooding is possible.

“Remember, if lightning does threaten your area, the safest place to be is indoors,” said a Hawaii County Civil Defense message issued this afternoon. “As in all severe weather conditions, expect possible interruptions in your utility services. Should power outages occur, be on the alert for malfunctioning traffic signals. Please treat flashing traffic lights as a four-way stop.”