Posted on: Monday, February 25, 2002

Downpour drenches Big Island

Advertiser Staff

HILO, Hawai'i — An all-day downpour yesterday caused street flooding, fallen trees and the temporary failure of utilities in East Hawai'i.

Nearly 4 inches fell on some parts of the island's windward side.

Traffic on the Hawai'i Belt Road slowed while crews cleared a landslide near Kolekole Park, about 10 miles north of Hilo.

Earlier in the day, trees fell east of Hilo, knocking down telephone and electric lines. There were no reported injuries.

The rain created gullies along the lower end of 'Ainako Avenue, where a major widening project is under way.

The National Weather Service issued an overnight flood watch last night for the Big Island and Maui.

The heavy rain was not expected to reach O'ahu, forecasters said.