Maui Now : Maui Weather Updates: Maui Flood WATCH Posted Through Tuesday Afternoon

A Flash Flood Warning is in effect for the island of Oʻahu until 4:15 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021.

At 2:23 p.m., radar showed heavy rainfall continuing over Oʻahu. The highest rain rates were 1-3 inches per hour along the slopes of the Koʻolau Range. The Department of Emergency Management reported that Kapaʻa Quarry Road has been closed due to flooding.

The National Weather Service says, “Excessive runoff from heavy rainfall will cause flooding of drainage ditches and streams, streets, highways, properties, and other low lying spots. Stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even if they are currently dry. Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown.”

The National Weather Service says deep tropical moisture combined with some instability will produce widespread heavy rain across the state today.

“Compared to the steady stream of moisture yesterday, today we should see convective bands develop capable of producing periods of torrential rainfall across the state. Although any area can see heavy rainfall, the heaviest rainfall will begin to shift from the eastern half of the state toward the western half of the state later today through Tuesday,” according to the NWS forecast.

The NWS says, “Improving weather conditions will start over the eastern end of the state by late tonight with much drier condition expected over Maui County and the Big Island on Tuesday. Conditions will remain moist and unstable over Oʻahu and Kauaʻi through Tuesday.”

More typical trade wind weather will return from late Wednesday onward.

The National Weather Service says flash flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be possible on Kauaʻi, Niʻihau, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, Kahoʻolawe and the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.

“Rain events of this size can cause catastrophic flooding and affect areas that do not usually flood. Low spots in roads will become dangerous and impassable due to severe runoff. Debris in streams and gulches may clog bridges and culverts resulting in dangerous flooding. Numerous landslides are expected in areas with steep terrain,” according to the NWS forecast.

According to the update, “Periods of heavy rainfall will continue across the Hawaiian Islands as a Kona Low west of Kauaʻi pulls up deep tropical moisture over the state. A large band of heavy showers associated with this low will slowly drift westward affecting all islands through Tuesday afternoon. Additional rainfall totals in the 5-10 inch range are expected with locally higher amounts possible.”

At 5:50 a.m., radar showed a cluster of heavy showers moving over Maui from the south, producing rainfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour. Leeward Maui has received 6-10 inches of rain overnight, and rainfall remains high. Over the last 24 hours, Kula received more than 11 inches of rain and nearly 7 inches was recorded on the island of Molokaʻi, according to NOAA/NWS.

The Flood Warning includes the entire island of Maui, especially leeward Maui.

The NWS advises, “The heavy rains may cause rock and mudslides in steep terrain areas. Stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even if they are currently dry. Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown.”

The Flash Flood Warning that was in effect for Maui has since been canceled as of 8:55 a.m.

The National Weather Service reports that flood waters have receded. Piʻilani Highway remains closed at Pahihi

Gulch due to earlier flood damage.

A Flood Watch remains in effect for Maui County through Tuesday afternoon.

Molokaʻi Flood Warning CANCELED as of 8:15 a.m.

The Flash Flood Warning that was in effect for the island of Molokaʻi was canceled as of 8:15 a.m. The National Weather Service reports that flood waters have receded and heavy rainfall has ended over the area. Maui Emergency Management reported that Kamehameha V Highway is now REOPENED. A Flood Watch remains in effect for Maui County through Tuesday afternoon.

“A Kona Low will linger just west northwest of Kauaʻi this morning drifting slowly westward through Wednesday. A large band of heavy rain associated with this low will also track slowly westward across the state. Expect widespread heavy rainfall with this system, especially under the large heavy rain band, capable of producing catastrophic flooding, and strong gusty southerly winds through Wednesday,” according to the NWS.

“The heaviest rainfall currently over Maui County this morning will slowly drift westward into Oʻahu and Kauaʻi later this morning. Improving weather conditions will start over the eastern side of the state by late Tuesday with drier air slowly spreading into the western islands on Wednesday. More typical trade wind weather will return from late Wednesday onward,” the NWS reports in its latest Weather Synopsis, released shortly after 4 a.m.

A Wind Advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021.

South winds 20 to 35 mph with gusts to 50 mph are in the forecast for Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui and Kahoʻolawe.

The NWS advises: “Winds this strong can tear off shingles, knock down tree branches, blow away tents and awnings and also make it difficult to steer, especially for drivers of high profile vehicles. Winds may be especially gusty in showers and along north slopes of mountain ranges.”

The public should watch out for falling tree branches when walking or driving. Also, make sure tents and awnings are secure or take them down; and be prepared for power outages.

A High Surf Advisory is in effect until 6 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021.

A High Surf Warning has since been canceled.

The National Weather Service says large breaking waves of 15-20 feet with isolated minor coastal flooding during high tide times is forecast for the north facing shore of Kauaʻi, Maui, Molokaʻi, Niʻihau, Oʻahu, and the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.

The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for the island of Maui until 9:15 a.m.

At 8:21 a.m. rainfall has eased, but the Maui Emergency Management Agency reported that Lower Kula Road is closed due to flooding. Although rainfall has eased, runoff and stream levels will remain elevated for a few more hours.

The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for the island of Molokaʻi until 9:30 a.m.

At 6:16 a.m., radar showed rainfall has eased but runoff levels remain high. Kamehameha V Highway remains closed near Mile 8 due to mud and debris on the roadway.

The NWS reports additional rainfall will be moving over Molokaʻi from the south during the early morning hours.

Locations that will experience flash flooding include: Kualapuʻu, Kaunakakai, Hoʻolehua, Kalaupapa National Park, Kawela, Kamalo, Maunaloa, ʻUalapue, Pūkoʻo, Kepuhi, Hālawa Valley and Molokaʻi Airport.

The National Weather Service has issued a Special Marine Warning for the Alenuihaha Channel, Māʻalaea Bay, Maui County Leeward and Windward Waters, and the Pailolo Channel until 8 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021. At 5:52 a.m., an area of heavy showers was located over waters south and west of Maui, moving north at 40 knots. Mariners are advised to prepare for gusty winds, steep and fast-building seas, and blinding downpours. “Stay low or go below, and make sure all on board are wearing life jackets,” the NWS advises.

The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for the island of Maui until 6:15 a.m.

At 2:40 a.m., radar showed a renewed area of very heavy showers moving over Maui from the south, with even more heavy showers developing further upstream. The NWS says localized rainfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour will exacerbate ongoing flooding from earlier rainfall.

Portions of leeward Maui have received over 6 inches of rain over the past six hours, and runoff remains high.

Multiple public road closures are expected, as well as landslides in steep terrain.

The public is advised to be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. “Stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even if they are currently dry. Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown,” the NWS advises.

The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for the island of Molokaʻi in Maui County until 6:30 a.m.

At 3:23 a.m., radar showed some decrease in rainfall moving over Molokaʻi from the south, but runoff from earlier heavy rain continues, according to the NWS.

Kamehameha V Highway remains closed near Mile 8 due to mud and debris on the roadway.

Additional heavy showers forming to the south of the island will likely move ashore through the early morning hours, according to the NWS forecast.

As a precaution, the public is advised to “be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the dangers of flooding. Stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even if they are currently dry. Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown.”

The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for the island of Maui until 3:15 a.m. HST.

At 12:01 a.m., radar showed that heavy rain had eased in coverage and intensity over the island of Maui, with a few fast-moving heavy showers producing rain rates near 1 inch per hour. However, significant flooding from earlier heavy rain is ongoing, according to the NWS.

All of the island of Maui is under the warning, but the NWS advises that flash flooding is especially possible for Wailea and Mākena.

As a precaution, the public is advised to stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even if they are currently dry. “Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown,” the NWS advises.

The National Weather Service has extended the Flash Flood Warning for the island of Molokaʻi until 3:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021.

At 12:18 a.m., radar showed that heavy rain had temporarily eased in intensity and coverage over Molokaʻi, but runoff from earlier heavy rain continues. The Molokaʻi Police Department reports that Kamehameha V Highway remains closed near Mile 8 due to mud and debris on the roadway. Satellite imagery shows more heavy showers developing a little further out that may move over the island by approximately 1 a.m.

As a precaution, the NWS advises the public to be especially cautious at night when it is harder to recognize the

dangers of flooding. “Stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even if they are currently dry. Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown.”

The Flood Warning for Maui has been extended to 12:15 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021.

At 9:16 p.m, radar showed heavy rain over all of Maui.

The Maui Emergency Management Agency reports significant flooding in the Kīhei area near Maui Meadows subdivision, where several homes have been flooded, and cars have been washed away. Additional flooding impacts are being reported in some upslope communities.

The National Weather Service reminds the pubic that significant and life threatening flooding is occurring in drainages, streams, rivers, roads, properties, and other low-lying areas.

Multiple public road closures are expected, as well as landslides in steep terrain.

The National Weather Service issued an updated area synopsis shortly after 9 p.m. that states:

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for the island of Molokaʻi until 12:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 6, 2021.

At 9:20 p.m. HST, radar showed heavy rain falling moving over Molokaʻi from the south, with rain rates of 1-2 inches per hour. Water in streams and rivers remains high, with additional rain approaching form the south.

The public is reminded to stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even if they are currently dry. Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. “Turn around, don’t drown,” the NWS advises.