Updated at 3 p.m., Thursday, October 25, 2001

Threat of heavy rain lifted for Kaua'i, O'ahu

By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser staff writer

A flash flood watch on Kaua'i and O'ahu was canceled as expected at noon today as widespread rain clouds dissipated, said National Weather Service reported.

The National Weather Service said there was heavy rain offshore this morning, but the rain weakened before coming to Kaua'i and O'ahu.

As for tomorrow, weather for the University of Hawai'i and Fresno State afternoon football game should be fine and show "more of a typical Hawaiian day," Matsuda said.

Yesterday, a sudden thunderstorm soaked Hilo with as much as 14 inches of rain. No major damage was reported, but there was minor sandbagging of homes and minor basement flooding, Matsuda said.

The National Weather Service said 9.5 inches of rain was recorded in 3 1/2 hours in Hilo. Some areas above Hilo got as much as 14 inches. Streams began to overflow before the storm ebbed around 4 p.m. Hilo police closed part of Kamehameha Avenue, but fire officials said no rescues were necessary.Repairs made since a huge storm in November 2000 are believed to have helped prevent more trouble, officials said. That storm dumped 30 inches of rain on the Big Island over several days and caused $70 million in damage.

Will LaPlante of the National Weather Service at Hilo said the storm came suddenly just after noon, dropping 9 1/2 inches on Hilo. The storm did not extend to Puna or Ka'u, where repairs still are being made because of damage caused by the November 2000 storm.

"We seem to have been lucky this one lasted such a short time," said Bill Davis of the Hawai'i County Civil Defense Agency.

Davis, who managed the response to the 2000 flooding disaster, said the intensity of yesterday's rainfall was similar to last year's storm but it did not last nearly as long.

Police said that in upper Kaumana, Hawai'i Electric Light Co. crews were trying to re-establish electrical service.

Traffic was tied up on Hoaka Road in Waiakea-uka, where prior floods have caused major damage. And police closed Kamehameha Avenue between Pauahi and Ponahawai streets.

Advertiser staff writer Hugh Clark contributed to this report.

The weather service, however, posted an advisory to Honolulu residents to take precautions against minor flooding of small streams and roadways. Thunderstorms are still possible in the interior of O'ahu this afternoon.