Kauai was under a flash flood warning Thursday afternoon until 7:45 p.m. as heavy rain pounded the island’s north shore, where radar and automated gauges showed rain falling at 1 to 3 inches an hour and sharp rises on the Hanalei River gauge. Flash flooding was ongoing or expected to begin shortly in parts of the island, including Hanalei, Wainiha, Haena, Princeville and several other communities and trails.
The warning covered a broad stretch of the island, from Kekaha and Waimea to Kilauea, Kokee State Park, Na Pali State Park, Polihale, Hanapepe, Mana, Barking Sands, Waimea Canyon State Park, Pakala Village, Kaumakani, Eleele and Kalihiwai. A flood advisory had also been in effect for Kauai through 10:45 a.m. as moderate to heavy rain fell, with rising streams and minor flooding already seen along the Wainiha River on the north shore.
The same storm system kept the entire state under a flood watch through Friday afternoon, with the heaviest rainfall expected to start over Kauai and Oahu before moving east across the islands tonight into Friday. The watch carried the risk of flash flooding, road closures and landslides in steep terrain, and a high wind warning remained in effect through 6 a.m. Friday for Kauai and Oahu.
South winds of 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph were expected on those islands, strong enough to topple trees, damage roofs and power lines and make travel dangerous, especially for high-profile vehicles. A gale warning was also in effect through 6 a.m. Friday for waters around Kauai and Oahu, where winds of 25 to 35 knots and seas building to 14 feet could capsize or damage vessels. A small craft advisory remained in place for Maui County and Hawaii island waters, and a gale watch was taking effect this evening through Friday afternoon there.
High surf advisory conditions also covered the south-facing shores of Oahu and Kauai County through 6 a.m. Friday, with wave heights of 8 to 12 feet expected. On Hawaii island, winter weather continued at the summits above 12,500 feet. The broad pattern was being driven by a strengthening low pressure system northwest of the islands that was pulling deep tropical moisture into Hawaii, and the high-impact weather was expected to persist through Friday.
