UPDATE (5:30 p.m.) – The Flood Advisory for Hawai‘i Island is no longer in effect.
(BIVN) – The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flood Advisory for the east-side of the Island of Hawai‘i until 5:15 p.m. HST.
“At 2:21 PM HST, radar showed heavy rainfall over the Puna and Kau Districts,” forecasters wrote. “The most intense rainfall was over Mountain View and Hawaiian Acres with rain rates 3 to 4 inches per hour. This rainfall was spreading eastward toward Ainaloa and Pahoa. Additional rainfall areas were developing to the west.”
Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Hilo, Volcano, Hawaiian Acres, Orchidland Estates, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Glenwood, Pepeekeo, Keaau, Pahoa, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Mountain View and Papaikou, forecasters say.
At 2:23 p.m HST, a strong thunderstorm was located over Hawaiian Acres, or 12 miles south of Hilo, moving east at 5 mph, the National Weather Service reported in a Special Weather Statement. Another thunderstorm was located 5 miles southwest of Volcano, moving east at 5 mph.
“Winds in excess of 40 mph and pea size hail are possible with these storms,” the forecasters noted. “Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can strike 10 miles away from a thunderstorm. Seek a safe shelter inside a building or vehicle.”
Hawai‘i County Police report that all roads are open at this time. “Motorists in the affected areas are advised to exercise caution while driving. Road closures may occur without notice,” Hawai‘i County Civil Defense says.
