Updated at 5:23 p.m., Thursday, October 17, 2002
Islands remain under flash flood watch
Advertiser Staff
The National Weather Service kept a flash flood watch and high surf advisory posted for the entire state as the threat of heavy rain continued to loom like low-slung clouds and big waves pounded some northwest shores.A flash flood watch means conditions are favorable for heavy rains and sudden flooding. The watch will remain in effect until 4 a.m. tomorrow.
An earlier flash flood warning for Kaua'i, where flooding was occurring or imminent, was withdrawn this afternoon.
The high surf advisory covered all islands as a northwest swell generated waves of 10 to 15 feet. Waves building to as high as 20 feet are possible tomorrow, the weather service said.
The weather service could not predict where the advancing rain would get heavy, said Jeff Powell, a National Weather Service lead forecaster.
"It's going to be wet and goopy today," Powell said. "There has been a lot of rain and nuisance flooding. Nothing in terms of life-threatening floods, but the potential is there. The ground is saturated and it won't take much to send it over the top."
Heavy showers and thunderstorms that regenerated last night kept rain moving up from the south and eastward over the state today. Overnight rain kept roads slick, but no major accidents were reported.
Rain was especially heavy over Lana'i this morning, briefly prompting an urban small stream and flood advisory.
Skies should begin to clear Saturday with tradewinds returning on Sunday, Powell said.
Reach Mike Gordon at mgordon@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8012.
