A third storm in nearly as many weeks is set to bring more wind and rain to the Islands and local leaders are preparing for impact.
"Low pressure west of the Islands will draw tropical moisture northward leading to periods of heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and an increased flash flooding risk," the National Weather Service in Honolulu said in a forecast Wednesday morning. "Strong and gusty south to southeasterly winds are also expected Thursday and Thursday night. Unsettled conditions linger into next week."
Forecasters say the first wave of showers are expected to move into the area from the south during the mid- to late-afternoon, with the heaviest over Kaua‘i and O‘ahu, "where instability is maximized."
The southeast area of Hawai‘i Island saw several inches of rain last night, the forecast noted.
As of 12:15 p.m., a flood watch is in effect for all Hawaiian Islands through Friday afternoon and a high surf advisory is in effect for south-facing shores on all islands until 6 a.m. Thursday. A high wind watch is in effect for portions of Kaua‘i and O‘ahu Thursday morning through Thursday night. NWS says south winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 60 mph are possible.
Find the latest warnings and advisories here.
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 across the state.
The City and County of Honolulu
Crews have been dispatched across O‘ahu to clear streams, canals and waterways ahead of the storm, "to ensure rainwater and runoff can flow as freely as possible," the city said in an announcement Tuesday. The Department of Parks and Recreation also delivered loads of sand to a lot in Waialua, so people could fill sandbags ahead of the storm.
The city is set to open four pet-friendly emergency shelters today, Wednesday, April 8:
- Wai‘anae District Park, 85-601 Farrington Highway
- Mānoa Valley District Park, 2721 Kaaipu Ave.
- Kāne‘ohe District Park, 45-660 Keaʻahala Road
- George Fred Wright Wahiawā District Park, 1139 Kilani Ave.
Additionally, the Department of Emergency Management's Emergency Operations Center was fully activated this morning.
According to the announcement, first responders and city crews also will be "pre-deployed to areas known to be vulnerable to flooding and storm impacts, allowing for quicker response if conditions worsen."
All Neighborhood Board meetings through April 9 are canceled.
Maui County
Maui County leaders also are urging preparedness.
In an announcement Tuesday, the county noted that gauges at the Haleakalā summit, Pu‘u Kukui and Kula all topped 50 inches of rain between March 10 and 24, while flooding and wind "severely damaged" portions of Moloka‘i, South Maui, ‘Īao Valley, Upper Kula, East Maui and Lahaina during the first two Kona Low storms.
Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator Amos Lonokailua-Hewett said in the announcement that visitors and residents should "stay informed, create an emergency plan, gather an emergency kit, secure property and look out for one another. Residents who live in low-lying or flood-prone areas need to prepare early."
Two Maui schools are closed today: Hāna High & Elementary in East Maui was closed due to heavy rains and flooding conditions affecting safe access to the campus, and Baldwin High School in Wailuku was closed due to a lack of running water caused by issues related to a nearby construction project, the state Department of Education said in an announcement Wednesday.
Subscribe to MEMA alerts at mauicounty.gov/MEMA.
Hawai‘i County
Sentiments are the same in Hawai‘i County.
“We are again looking at the potential for flash flooding and thunderstorms with this weather system, including in areas that were previously hit the hardest,” Mayor Kimo Alameda said in an announcement Tuesday. “As we prepare for the possibility of more severe weather, we are regularly communicating with Merrie Monarch Festival and craft fair organizers as well as the visitor industry to ensure everyone stays safe, aware and connected.”
(ICYMI: Merrie Monarch, a weeklong festival and hula competition held annually in Hilo, is underway now through April 11).
For those who need it, the county says sandbags can be requested by contacting the Department of Public Works at dpwhwy@hawaiicounty.gov or 808-961-8321.
You can receive emergency notifications by signing up for Civil Defense alerts at bit.ly/HCCDAlerts.
The U.S. Geological Survey's Hawaiian Volcano Observatory also continues to monitor Kīlauea volcano. In an April 8 update, HVO says that lava fountaining episode 44 of the volcano's ongoing, episodic eruption is forecast to begin between now and April 15.
Late last week, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park said it was gearing up for the next eruption and a possible shift in winds.
Kaua‘i County
In an announcement Wednesday morning, Kaua‘i County said that no refuge areas were open and no road closure were reported at that time.
The HI5 Redemption center in Kōloa will be closed Thursday, April 9, but the announcement notes that county services and facilities may close with little to no notice, depending on the severity of the storm and its effects.
Kūhiō Highway near the Hanalei Bridge may also be closed with little or no advance notice, particularly if a flash flood warning is issued, the county says.
Other preparations
The Hawai‘i National Guard has about 200 soldiers and airmen activated on state active duty and is prepared to provide response efforts "similar to those provided for the previous Kona Low storms," the state Department of Defense says.
"The HING has High Water Vehicle Teams postured in all counties and personnel stationed in every county’s emergency operation center ready to assist," an April 7 announcement noted. "Additionally, a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter is on standby for rescue operations on Hawaiʻi and a HH-60 Blackhawk helicopter for MEDEVAC on Oʻahu, if the need arises."
Earlier impacts
AccuWeather recently estimated that the two storm systems in March, 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.
The March storms caused the indefinite closure of Kula Hospital and nearly $70 million in farm damage, among other impacts.
Last week, Gov. Josh Green and the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency announced the launch of a statewide interim Disaster Case Management Program for residents affected by the Kona Low storms last month.
Such programs connect survivors of disasters with "specially trained case managers to help assess and address their needs by developing a disaster recovery plan," an April 3 announcement from the Governor's Office noted.
Call 211 to begin the enrollment process.
And ICYMI: With a dollar-for-dollar matching contribution of up to $100,000 from an anonymous donor secured by Aloha State Daily, as well as support from individual donors and partners, the Hawai‘i Farmers Union Foundation (HFUF) has launched the Hawaiʻi Flood Response Fund to help Hawai‘i’s farmers and rural communities recovering from severe flooding. Read more here.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
