Rain, winds batter O'ahu

Advertiser Staff

A heavy thunderstorm and strong winds hit O'ahu late last night, knocking down trees and power lines and flooding homes.

The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for O'ahu and Moloka'i. Weather radar showed a severe thunderstorm eight miles south of Waikiki at 11:30 p.m., moving north at 55 mph and packing winds of more than 60 mph.

Thunderclaps set off car alarms in downtown Hono-lulu and lightning lit up the sky. Police closed Kunia Road after a report that power lines fell on a fire truck between Anonui Street and a water tank. Power was out in that area.

Firefighters responded to a report that a tree fell on a house on Auhaele Loop in Mililani. Officials also received a call of fallen trees on roads in Mililani and Wahiawa, as well as household flooding in Manoa, Kane'ohe and elsewhere.

A weak front about 600 miles west of Kaua'i is generating thundershowers, said lead forecaster Roy Matsuda.

The system is slow moving and will linger until Tuesday, when skies are expected to clear, Matsuda said.

The heavy rain is expected across much of the state through Monday, the National Weather Service said.

The weather service also issued a severe thunderstorm warning at 11:47 p.m. for Moloka'i. Winds of up to 70 mph were expected to hit that island.

O'ahu and Kaua'i were under a flash flood watch until at least 4 a.m. today.

A small-craft advisory and high-surf advisory were also in effect until at least 4 a.m. today. Surf for today was forecast at 6 feet to 12 feet for north and west shores.

Earlier yesterday, Kaua'i received 2.27 inches of rain.