UPDATE: 15:55
Maui County officials say the Kaupakalua dam has been breached and evacuations are “ongoing in Haiku for everyone in the vicinity of the Kaupakalua dam and the Kaupakalua road makai”.
“People near high flow streams should also evacuate or look for higher areas,” says an updated warning. “Evacuation shelters are being opened at the Paia Community Center and Hana College. People need to stay away from the Haiku areas affected by the evacuations ”
Governor David Ige tweeted: “The state is on standby to support Maui County as residents and visitors downstream of the Kaupakulua dam evacuate at this time. Stay out of the area until the danger passes and continue to monitor the local media for updates. “
3:35 pm
Maui County officials say evacuations were ordered for everyone downstream of the Kaupakalua dam in Haiku after heavy rains led to the dam breaking.
“Kaupakalua reservoir dam rupture in the Haiku area. If downstream of the dam, evacuate now, ”the Maui Emergency Management Agency said in an alert. The alert warns of a “significant threat to life or property”.
Evacuation shelters are being opened at the Paia Community Center and Hana High School.
“People need to stay away from the area,” said county officials.
The National Meteorological Service said: “Life-threatening floods and significant material damage are expected in areas downstream of the Kaupakalua Dam, including the Hana Highway between Haiku and Pauwela.”
The East Maui area is under flood warning until 6:15 pm today,
“At 2:08 pm, the radar and automated rain gauges indicated that heavy rain was falling on the windward Haleakala. Water was reported to flow over the Hana Highway in Wailua. The rain fell at a rate of 5 to 7 centimeters per hour. A flash flood is occurring or is expected to start soon. “
The weather service alert said that places that will experience flash floods include Keanae, Nahiku, Kipahulu, Kaupo, Huelo, Kula, Hana, Makawao, Pukalani, Haiku-Pauwela, Haliimaile, Pauwela, Paia, Haleakala National Park, Wailua, Kailua and Hamoa.
14h15
The National Meteorological Service extended the flood warning to the island of Maui until 6:15 pm today.
At 2:08 pm, the radar and automated rain gauges indicated that heavy rain was falling on Haleakala downwind. Authorities reported that water flows down the Hana Highway in Wailua. The rain fell at a rate of 5 to 7 centimeters per hour.
1:15 pm
The National Meteorological Service issued a flood warning for the island of Hawaii, in effect until 4:15 pm today.
At 13h09, the radar indicated heavy rain on the windward side of the island of Hawaii – from the district of Hamakua to Hilo and Puna. The showers are falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches an hour, and additional heavy rain is expected at least until this afternoon.
The locations on the notice include, but are not limited to Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honokaa, Mountain View, Keaau, Glenwood, Hawaiian Acres, Papaikou, Orchidland Estates, Pepeekeo, Volcano, Honomu, Hakalau, Pahoa, Ninole, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park , Laupahoehoe, Ookala and Paauilo.
Officials said the warning may need to be extended if the flood persists.
12:45 pm
The National Weather Service extended the flash flood warning to the island of Maui until 2:15 pm today.
At 12:41 pm, the radar and automated rain gauges indicated that heavy rain was falling on Haleakala downwind. Authorities reported that water flows over the Hana highway in Wailua. The rain fell at a rate of 5 to 7 centimeters per hour.
The warning may need to be extended if the flood persists.
11:15 am
The National Weather Service has updated the flood warning to a flash flood warning for the island of Maui, in effect until 2:15 pm today.
At 11:15 am, the radar and automated rain gauges indicated heavy rain falling on Haleakala downwind. The rain fell at a rate of 5 to 7 centimeters per hour.
Floods are occurring, officials warned, or should begin soon.
Some floodplain locations include Keanae, Nahiku, Kipahulu, Kaupo, Huelo, Kula, Hana, Makawao, Pukalani, Haiku-Pauwela, Haliimaile, Pauwela, Paia, Healakala National Park, Wailua, Kailua and Hamoa.
The public should stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches and culverts, even if they are currently dry. Do not cross running water or climbing quickly in a car or on foot.
10:15 am
The National Weather Service issued a flood warning for the island of Maui until 1:15 pm today.
At 10:04 am, the radar indicated heavy rain on the slopes of Haleakala and in the mountains west of Maui. The rain fell at a rate of 2.5 to 5 centimeters per hour.
Counseling locations include, but are not limited to, Kahului, Lahaina, Pukalani, Makawao, Haliimaile, Kula, Paia, Haiku-Pauwela, Pauwela, Puunene, Huelo, Maalaea, Wailuku, Keanae, Waiehu, Waikapu, Waihee, Nahiku, K Kahakuloa.
Rain and runoff will cause dangerous driving conditions due to puddles, reduced visibility and poor braking action, officials warned. The public should stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low-lying areas subject to flooding.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
A flood alert is in effect across the state until late Tuesday night.
The National Weather Service extended the flood alert coverage to Niihau, Kauai and Oahu, as well as to Maui County, this morning, as the deep humidity spreads across the state, bringing heavy and persistent rains.
A flood alert means that a flood is possible in the area and that the public must be prepared to act if an alert is issued.
A high surf warning also covers all of the east coasts of Kauai to the island of Hawaii, due to the 7-10 foot surf generated by strong trade winds until 6am on Tuesday.
East coast surfing is expected to drop to 1.8 to 2.5 meters on Tuesday morning, and further below to 1.5 to 2.1 meters on Tuesday night, meteorologists said.
Surfing on the north coast at 7 to 10 feet today is expected to drop to 6 to 8 feet on Tuesday.
Surfing on the west and south coasts remains stable, at 3 to 5 feet and 2 to 4 feet, respectively, today and Tuesday.
Today’s skies are generally cloudy, with likely showers in the windward and mauka areas, and highs of 78 to 83 degrees. Tonight’s casualties drop to 64 to 71 degrees, with the possibility of heavy rain on all islands.
Meteorologists expect widespread heavy rains and possible thunderstorms during the middle of the week.
Heavy rains ended in the districts of Hilo and Puna just before midnight, but they may be heading for the districts of Puna and Kau, meteorologists said.
Below-zero temperatures in the summits of Ilha Grande are also expected to bring a period of snow and freezing rain, which led to a warning about the winter weather until 6am on Tuesday. Up to 5 to 5 cm of additional snow is expected at the peaks of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
Traveling to the summit can be very difficult or impossible.
The National Park Service has suspended overnight permits in the cabins on the summit of Mauna Loa due to the winter weather. Daily users must monitor weather forecasts to inform their inland travel decisions, officials said.
A little boat advice is also available for all Hawaiian waters until 6am on Tuesday.