Thunderstorms hit O'ahu, flash flood warning issued

By Walter Wright
Advertiser Staff Writer

Miles Takiguchi walks away from his car after it became stuck on Kapahu Street in Pauoa this afternoon. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

A sudden thunderstorm raged across O'ahu this afternoon, flooding freeways, knocking out electrical power intermittently, and submerging a car in the Papakolea area of Honolulu.

An accident on the H-2 Freeway closed the southbound lanes in mid-afternoon.

City Civil Defense spokesman Paul Takamiya said radar showed the storm moving down through the center of the island in a southeasterly direction.

Police dispatchers received reports of covers popping off flooded manholes on Pacific Heights Road, and of roadway flooding on the H-1 Freeway at the Kalihi and Punahou Street overpasses.

Caution was advised for all Hawaiian waters due to marginal sea conditions, and waters around Oahu due to strong and gusty winds associated with the thunder storm.

National Weather Service warning coordination meteorologist Tom Heffner said the thunderstorms could continue through Thursday, with chances local flooding will recur.

Heffner said the unusual summer thunderstorm was caused by a low pressure in the upper levels of the atmosphere causing updrafts of moist air generating the storm.

Lightning occurs when there is a difference between the electrical charge of the air and that of land, he said.

Forecasters said radar photos show showers and thunderstorms developing over various portions of O'ahu and portions of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. Southeast Lanai was particularly affected, with radar showing rainfall of 2 inches per hour by early afternoon.

Power outages were reported in the Pauoa through Ward Avenue area, with about 7,000 customers affected in mid-afternoon. Another several hundred customers in Salt Lake were also without power.

Drivers were cautioned to take care on the roads since ponding can cause hydroplaning. Flooding and traffic backups were reported on the Pali Highway and H-1 and H-2 freeways.

An accident on the H-2 freeway added to the traffic problems.

At least one person was killed in a three-vehicle accident in the town-bound lanes of the H-2 freeway, just before the Mililani exit ramp.

The town-bound H-2 was closed as police investigated. Police said the accident may have been weather-related.