Updated at 3:40 p.m., Sunday, February 3, 2008
Big Island roads open after heavy rains let up
Advertiser Staff
All major highways are open to traffic on the Big Island this morning, but several roads still remain closed in Hilo, including Kamehameha Avenue in downtown Hilo, according to the most recent advisory issued by the Hawai'i County Civil Defense.Big Island Mayor Harry Kim, who also is serving as the interim director of the county's civil defense, estimated that about 100 to 150 homes sustained some kind of water damage from the heavy rains that fell over Ka'u, Hilo and Puna during the last 48 hours.
"The rains started subsiding last night just as we were at the threshold of decision making for mandatory evacuations," Kim said this morning. "Water levels are decreasing. We're in good shape now."
American Red Cross volunteers are out scouring homes on the Big Island now to determine if anyone needs help and to obtain a clearer picture of the extent of the damage from the winter rain storm.
Motorists are asked to drive with caution and to be aware of debris and erosion along the roadway. Roads can be closed without advance warning, the civil defense says.
Big Island police and road crews report no flood, no rain and water levels in flooded areas have subsided. Several roadways have experienced erosion, Kim said. County crews are out making repairs today.
The National Weather Service had a flash flood watch issued through 2 p.m. today for the entire island chain as the rain had temporarily subsided. A watch means that no flooding is occurring, but the potential remains.
"Hopefully now that we've had 12 hours of less or no rain, that will help us if more rain comes," Kim said. "It's giving us time to cleanup."
