A flash flood warning has been issued for O'ahu until 11 p.m. tonight, especially for the Windward area, according to the National Weather Service.

800 PM HST MON MAR 9 2009

At 7:52 p.m. the weather service said radar showed a persistent area of heavy rain from Kane'ohe to Kailua that extends southward.

The area of heavy rain was nearly stationary and rain gauges in St. Stephens and Maunawili show that rain is falling at a rate of 1 to 3 three inches per hour during the past hour.

Residents should take precautions and move to higher ground. A flash flood warning means that flash flooding is imminent or occurring in streams and roads in low-lying areas.