State escapes brunt of stormy weather
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
The heavy rains forecast for yesterday did happen, but most of the raindrops fell into the ocean and away from the Islands.
Jeff Widener • The Honolulu Advertiser
The National Weather Service canceled a flash-flood watch at 4 p.m. yesterday. The watch was issued because of unstable conditions created by an upper-level low pressure system and the remnants of Tropical Storm Barbara.
A car makes its way through the puddles on South Kalaheo Avenue in Kailua.
The system did bring much-needed rain to portions of the state and thundershowers were reported about 100 miles north of O'ahu. But yesterday was mostly dry and muggy for most of the state.
As of 6 p.m. yesterday, what's left of Barbara was about 80 miles northwest of Kaua'i and continuing on a westward path, said National Weather Service forecaster Jonathan Hoag. He said normal tradewind weather should return today and the forecast is for drier conditions.
On Maui, authorities were called at 2:11 p.m. yesterday when a family appeared to be trapped by the rapidly rising waters of 'Iao Stream. But by the time rescue crews responded to 'Iao Valley, family members were walking away unharmed, a Maui Fire Department spokesman said.
On Kaua'i, close to 2 inches of rain fell on Wainiha, and less over other parts of the island. Police reported no traffic problems or flooding as a result of the rain.
On O'ahu, more than 2 inches were recorded in Kahuku and near Punalu'u, Hoag said. There were no reports of flooding or emergencies related to the rain.
Advertiser staff writers Timothy Hurley and Jan TenBruggencate contributed to this report.
