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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Heavy rains could bring flood threat to Big Island this afternoon


Advertiser Staff

JUST IN CASE ...

— Learn the safest route from your home to high, safe ground in case you have to evacuate in a hurry.

— Those in frequently flooded areas should keep sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber, which can be used to protect property.

— Do not allow young children to play along streams or drainage ditches.

— If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible. Do not attempt to drive through flooded areas.

— Prepare a 72-hour family home survival kit including food, water, clothing, blankets and other necessities.

— Create a family plan to deal with disasters.

Source: Oahu Civil Defense Agency

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The National Weather Service this morning updated its statewide flash-flood watch to include Hawaii County starting this afternoon.

Lead forecaster Tim Craig said the Big Island could begin to see heavy shower activity this afternoon, creating the potential for flash flooding.
Craig said today is likely to be a mostly trade-wind day, but the rest of the state will encounter increasing rain as the evening progresses. The heaviest showers probably will come after midnight, he said.
The watch remains in effect through Thursday.
"Island weather will become increasingly unsettled the next couple of days, as a strong low aloft develops near the island chain," the weather service says in its forecast discussion.
"A surface trough will develop northeast of the Islands tonight in response to the developing low aloft, with northeast winds becoming rather strong near Kauai. The surface trough will track from east to west across the island chain Wednesday night and Thursday, and then linger west of the Islands into the weekend.
"This combination will keep weather unsettled, with heavy showers and thunderstorms possible over all islands tonight through Thursday, and possibly into the weekend."
The weather service says the upper level low will also bring much colder air to higher elevations and has issued a winter storm watch for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
The weather service says there is the chance for heavy snowfall, lightning and strong winds with drifting snow.
A flash-flood watch means conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding.
Residents in low-lying areas, or areas near streams, should be prepared to evacuate in the event of flooding.
The weather service also warns hikers and campers to be vigilant near streams since flash flooding results from heavy rainfall upstream and can occur even if it is not raining in the immediate area.
The weather service Web site is:
http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/