Flood warnings issued for O'ahu
By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer
Another round of heavy rain and thunderstorms hit O'ahu last night, prompting weather forecasters to issue an urban and small-stream flood advisory until at least midnight.
O'ahu Civil Defense is urging residents and businesses to take the following precautions: • Homes and businesses in flood-prone areas should keep on hand materials — such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber — that can be used to protect property. • Know the meanings and effects of a flash-flood watch, warning and urban and small stream flood advisory. Visit the National Weather Service Web site at www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl or call 973-4381 for information. • If a flash-flood warning is issued, get to higher ground immediately. Follow evacuation instructions, but do not wait for them if you think you are in danger. • Do not drive across flooded roads or bridges. They may be washed out. • If your vehicle stalls in water, abandon it and get to higher ground. It only takes a foot or two of rapidly moving water to sweep away a car. • Do not walk or play near floodwaters. • If you have a flood-related emergency and need assistance, call 911.
Heavy rain over the North Shore caused streams to rise rapidly and water to pond in low-lying areas, the weather service said. Windward O'ahu and Hawai'i Kai also received heavy showers.
Flash-flood precautions
A flash-flood watch was in effect for O'ahu and Kaua'i.
The storm system could bring rains of up to 2 to 3 inches per hour, and is expected to move eastward later today and possibly stall over Maui County, said National Weather Service forecaster Robert Ballard. That could mean prolonged heavy rain over Maui, as well as over the Big Island, Ballard said.
The concern yesterday, however, was for O'ahu, which was hit hard by rain Saturday. Flooding was reported in many portions of the island from that day's rain and Ballard said people living in saturated areas should take extra precautions.
"This additional rain is not going to be helpful," Ballard said. "It wouldn't be out of the question to see some storms producing rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour. That could be pretty localized, but the problem is where that happens."
Ballard said the rain may be heavier and more widespread than it was on Saturday.
The forecast came as bad news to residents on Wailupe Place in 'Aina Haina, where knee-deep water covered the road, submerged yards and got into some homes Saturday.
Longtime resident Mark Goto said the problem is that his private road has no drainage system. He said a storm drain that runs behind his house also backed up on Saturday, adding to the neighborhood's problems.
Goto said yesterday that he was under the impression that the Department of Transportation was going to clear out the drain. But DOT spokesman Scott Ishikawa said crews inspected the storm drain and said it was clear.
Goto said he is concerned that more rain will mean more flooding. He spent Sunday and yesterday ripping out soaked carpet from his home.
"This is the worst in a long time," said Goto, 42. "If it rains again, we don't want to see the same thing happen again."
The heaviest rain was expected over Kaua'i and O'ahu last night and early today. Ballard said the rain should lessen as the cold front moves east.
Reach Curtis Lum at culum@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8025.
