Updated at 12:56 p.m., Monday, February 4, 2008
Big Island flash flood warning canceled
Advertiser Staff
HILO, Hawaii — The flash flood warning for the Big Island was dropped shortly before noon today after several hours of somewhat drier weather allowed rushing runoff in drainage channels in East Hawaii to drop, easing the immediate threat of flooding.A flash flood watch remained in effect because of what the National Weather Service is calling "very unstable" conditions, said Big Island.
"We're just enjoying the quiet period, and we really need it because it keeps the runoff level down, gives it time to drop down," said Big island Mayor Harry Kim. "Hopefully it will drop way down so if the rains reoccur, it will take a while to build up again.
Highway 11 at the 59 mile marker in the Kawa Flats area of Ka'u remained closed because of flooding.
Kamehameha Highway remained closed causing traffic to back up in some parts of downtown Hilo, but other major roads remained open, according to Hawaii County Civil Defense.
So far today only eight new requests for sandbags were made the county officials, a sign that the worst of the flooding may have passed. Bruce McClure, county chief engineer, said 128 requests for sandbags came in on Saturday and Sunday.
Red Cross officials closed the only disaster shelter open in Hilo at Auntie Sally's Luau Hale 12:30 p.m. because no one was using the facility. The shelter could reopen later in the day if families that suffered flood damage need advise Red Cross they need a place to stay.
