Weekend could bring heavy rain, forecasters say
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Hawai'i residents had best relish the calm and balmy weather, because things could get ugly this weekend.
Should the rain arrive, civil defense officials have a few tips for people in flood-prone areas: • Do not park vehicles near streams or places where water collects. • Place valuable items, including inventories and computer equipment, well above ground-floor level. • Prepare to use sandbags or other methods to divert water. • Prepare to evacuate should flooding pose a health or safety hazard. • Stay tuned to local broadcast stations for weather information.
The National Weather Service yesterday said an upper-level, low-pressure system to the west of the state could bring heavy rain as early as Saturday night.
Be prepared for rain
Based on the forecast, state civil defense officials issued an advisory to warn businesses and residents to prepare for the possibility of heavy rain and flash flooding.
On O'ahu, people living or working in the flood-prone areas of Mapunapuna and Ahua streets, Moanalua Valley, Moanalua Gardens and Foster Village should prepare for the rain. These areas experienced flooding and damage during heavy rain earlier this month.
Tim Craig, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service, said yesterday that it's too early to say how much rain will fall and which islands could be affected.
"As we get closer to the weekend, we'll have more of an idea what's going to happen. But right now, we're just in the stage where it's 'look out' kind of stuff," Craig said.
He said forecasters are looking at several atmospheric models and "all of them sort of aim at the same scenario."
