Forecasters from the National Weather Service in Honolulu are predicting more rain across the Islands this week.
Although "mostly dry and pleasant" trade wind weather will continue Monday — albeit with brief passing showers favoring windward and mauka areas — the NWS says a "significant pattern change is then expected by Tuesday as an upper disturbance and surface low pressure evolve northwest of the Islands."
"This system is expected to draw deep tropical moisture northward over the state, leading to an extended period of southerly winds, increased chances for widespread rainfall and renewed flooding concerns from from the middle of the week through the weekend."
Some possible "enhanced" showers could reach Kaua‘i by late Monday and there's a slight chance of thunder for Hawai‘i Island Tuesday afternoon, the NWS notes.
Find seven-day forecasts for areas across the state here.
In a hydrologic outlook published Monday morning, the NWS said now is a good time to prepare for possible flooding impacts:
- Clear gutters, storm drains, culverts, and drainage areas of debris to improve water flow
- Move valuable items out of low-lying or flood prone areas
- Check pumps, generators, and emergency equipment to ensure they are operational
- Take stock of emergency supplies, including food, water, medications, flash lights, and backup power sources
- Review family emergency plans and check on neighbors and family, especially those in flood-prone locations
"Residents living near stream, rivers, gulches, valleys, ravines and flood-prone areas should remain especially alert and prepared to move to higher ground if flash flooding develops," the outlook notes.
The possibility of more rain and flooding comes just weeks after back-to-back Kona Low storm systems brought heavy rains to the Islands that triggered flooding and power outages, prompted evacuations and caused damage.
AccuWeather recently estimated that the two storm systems, which brought 30 to 60 inches of rainfall to some areas and led to the worst flooding in Hawai‘i in more than two decades, caused around $2 billion in damages and economic loss. The preliminary estimate accounts for damage to homes, businesses and infrastructure, as well as tourism losses, agricultural impacts, and emergency response and recovery operation costs across O‘ahu, Maui and Hawai‘i Island, AccuWeather notes.
Recent data from the University of Hawai‘i's Hawai‘i at Mānoa shows that more than 2 trillion gallons of water, enough to fill 3 million Olympic-sized swimming pools, inundated the Islands last month.
The March storms caused the indefinite closure of Kula Hospital and nearly $70 million in farm damage, among other impacts.
For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up here for our free Daily Edition newsletter.
Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
