UPDATE – (6:45 a.m. on Thursday) – Highway 11 in Kaʻū is now open and the Flash Flood Warning is no longer in effect.
From the Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense:
At this time the flood waters have drained, and State Highway crews are working to clear the roadway of any debris and runoff. Highway 11 is open to all traffic; however, motorists are advised to drive with caution as crews are working to clear hazards..
The current forecast is for rain to continue throughout today and expected to be light with occasional moderate showers.
All schools in the Kaʻū district are open today.
Please drive carefully and anticipate possible ponding and runoff and possible road closures.
(BIVN) – Highway 11 in Kaʻū was closed due to flooding on Wednesday night.
The Hawaiʻi Police Department issued an alert to motorists, announcing the highway was closed in both directions in two locations:
- near the 56 Mile Marker at Ninole Loop in Punaluʻu
- near the 63 Mile Marker at Nāʻālehu Police Station
The Flood Watch for Hawaiʻi island was discontinued earlier today. However, residual moisture from the departed Tropical Storm Lowell is still stretching over Hawaiʻi Island and portions of Maui County, bringing with it a renewed threat of heavy showers through Wednesday evening.
Hawaiʻi Police said there are no detours available around the Highway 11 closures, and motorists are asked to use alternate routes.
UPDATE – (8:55 p.m.) – A Flash Flood Warning was issued for the Puna and Kaʻū districts Wednesday evening until 11:30 p.m.
“At 8:32 PM HST, Doppler radar indicated rain forming and moving over the Kaʻū and Puna districts, with rainfall rates up to 1 inch per hour over already saturated grounds,” the National Weather Service reported.
Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Hawaiian Paradise Park, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Wood Valley, Volcano, Pahala, Glenwood, Punaluʻu Beach, Kawa Flats, Mountain View, Hawaiian Acres and Nāʻālehu.
UPDATE – (9:45 p.m.) – The Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense said the Nāʻālehu Elementary School Gymnasium is open this evening as a shelter.
Officials say the Robert Herkes Gymnasium in Pāhala is also open to motorists wanting to wait out the highway closure.
UPDATE – (6:45 a.m. on Thursday) – Highway 11 in Kaʻū is now open and the Flash Flood Warning is no longer in effect.
From a Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense message issued Thursday morning:
At this time the flood waters have drained, and State Highway crews are working to clear the roadway of any debris and runoff. Highway 11 is open to all traffic; however, motorists are advised to drive with caution as crews are working to clear hazards.
The current forecast is for rain to continue throughout today and expected to be light with occasional moderate showers.
All schools in the Kaʻū district are open today.
Please drive carefully and anticipate possible ponding and runoff and possible road closures.
