HILO, Hawai'i — Heavy rains closed Hawai'i Belt Road in Ka'u periodically yesterday, but the road was reopened by late yesterday afternoon. A flash-flood warning was in effect for the Big Island until 10:45 last night.

Acting Civil Defense Administrator Lanny Nakano said flooding of Hilea Stream between Pahala and Na'alehu on Highway 11 prompted police to close the road at 10:18 a.m.

Police reopened the road at about 1:45 p.m., closed a lane again at 2:15, and finally reopened the road again at 4:25 p.m., but Nakano said a state crew planned to monitor the site last night.

A traffic accident on Mamalahoa Highway near the eastern edge of Waimea also caused problems when a utility pole was knocked down, prompting police to close one lane of the highway from about 10:20 a.m. until about 2:30 p.m., Nakano said.

Nakano said more rains were expected last night, and the National Weather Service issued a flash-flood warning for the island, with heavy rains expected mostly in the eastern and southeastern portions of the island.

In the 24-hour period ending at 5 p.m. yesterday, 8.94 inches of rain fell at Hakalau and 5.97 inches fell at Pi'ihonua above Hilo. Rainfall was 5.25 inches at Glenwood in upper Puna; 2.02 inches at the Hilo airport.

In Ka'u, 4.54 inches fell during the same period in Pahala, and 5.87 inches fell at Kapapala Ranch.

On O'ahu, the highest recorded rainfall was at Poamoho near Wahiawa, where 4.5 inches fell in the 24-hour period.

Other wet spots on O'ahu were Nu'uanu, with 2.81 inches, and Waiawa, 2.16 inches.

Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com.