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Rainstorms set to soak isles, spur flood watch
STORY SUMMARY | READ THE FULL STORYOahu residents should brace for the "biggest rain producer of the winter season," which is expected to hit today and continue this weekend, according to a city news release.
Oahu and Kauai appear to be in the primary threat and hazard area, but the deluge could spread to other islands, according to the National Weather Service. It issued a flood watch for the state through tomorrow night.
"We may begin experiencing the effects of this storm system beginning (this) morning with the heaviest showers and increased potential for flooding on Saturday night through Sunday morning," said Mel Kaku, director of the city Department of Emergency Management.
— Rob Shikina
FULL STORY >>
POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Nov 21, 2008
Residents are urged to use "extreme caution" today as heavy rain, flooding and flash flooding could hit parts of the state, authorities warned.
UH METEOROLOGY SATELLITE» Star-Bulletin AccuWeather Forecast» View latest weather conditions for Hawaii to Mainland TAKE PRECAUTIONSThe city Department of Emergency Management suggests these flood safety measures:» Know the safest route from your home or business to high ground. » If your area floods frequently, keep a stock of emergency materials such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber. » Stay away from streams or drainage canals and ditches. » If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it quickly because floodwaters can rise fast and wash cars away. Do not drive through flooded areas, because the road could be washed out or water might be deeper than it appears. » Consider canceling outdoor activities and hikes in mountains and valleys. A small stream can become a raging torrent. » Avoid swimming in storm runoffs and murky water, which attracts sharks. » Visit www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl or call 973-4381 for more information and weather updates.
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A flood watch, which took effect yesterday afternoon, will continue to tomorrow night.
Storm conditions could resemble those of a March 2006 storm -- except for duration -- that caused road closures, flooding and minor landslides, a city news release said.
In 2006 it rained for more than 40 days. Rainwater breached Kauai's Ka Loko Dam, killing seven people. On Oahu it led to a massive sewage spill in Waikiki that sent millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Ala Wai Canal.
While urging residents to use extreme caution, the city Department of Emergency Management also recommended that people who have experienced flood conditions in the past acquire sandbags and plastic tarps.
"This looks to be the biggest rain producer of the winter season to date and we need to be prepared and aware of the hazards that floods and heavy rains can create," said Mayor Mufi Hannemann in a news release. While winter officially begins Dec. 21, typical winter weather has come early.
![[Preview]](http://media.starbulletin.com/images/video_front.gif)
Weather forecast ![[Preview]](http://media.starbulletin.com/images/20081121_kitv_rainstorm.jpg)
The brewing storm was caused by the mixing of two less unusual events: a cold front to the west of Kauai and a southeasterly stream of air bringing moisture over the state.
The two conditions together create an unstable atmosphere.
It is like "putting water on top of oil in a container," said Vladimir Ryshko, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service. "Same thing happens."
By about 8 last night, moderate to heavy showers fell west of Oahu, and a line of heavy rain came down near Niihau, Ryshko said.
A flash flood watch means conditions might develop that lead to flash flooding, which could be deadly. But forecasters do not know how much precipitation might fall.
"Flooding rain is possible, but we can't really pin things down," Ryshko said. "The potential exists for heavy rain and damaging flooding."
He said narrow canyons and deep gorges would be dangerous places.
Residents are urged to use "extreme caution" today as heavy rain, flooding and flash flooding could hit parts of the state, authorities warned.
UH METEOROLOGY SATELLITE» Star-Bulletin AccuWeather Forecast» View latest weather conditions for Hawaii to Mainland TAKE PRECAUTIONSThe city Department of Emergency Management suggests these flood safety measures:» Know the safest route from your home or business to high ground. » If your area floods frequently, keep a stock of emergency materials such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber. » Stay away from streams or drainage canals and ditches. » If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it quickly because floodwaters can rise fast and wash cars away. Do not drive through flooded areas, because the road could be washed out or water might be deeper than it appears. » Consider canceling outdoor activities and hikes in mountains and valleys. A small stream can become a raging torrent. » Avoid swimming in storm runoffs and murky water, which attracts sharks. » Visit www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl or call 973-4381 for more information and weather updates. |
A flood watch, which took effect yesterday afternoon, will continue to tomorrow night.
Storm conditions could resemble those of a March 2006 storm -- except for duration -- that caused road closures, flooding and minor landslides, a city news release said.
In 2006 it rained for more than 40 days. Rainwater breached Kauai's Ka Loko Dam, killing seven people. On Oahu it led to a massive sewage spill in Waikiki that sent millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Ala Wai Canal.
While urging residents to use extreme caution, the city Department of Emergency Management also recommended that people who have experienced flood conditions in the past acquire sandbags and plastic tarps.
"This looks to be the biggest rain producer of the winter season to date and we need to be prepared and aware of the hazards that floods and heavy rains can create," said Mayor Mufi Hannemann in a news release. While winter officially begins Dec. 21, typical winter weather has come early.
The brewing storm was caused by the mixing of two less unusual events: a cold front to the west of Kauai and a southeasterly stream of air bringing moisture over the state.
The two conditions together create an unstable atmosphere.
It is like "putting water on top of oil in a container," said Vladimir Ryshko, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service. "Same thing happens."
By about 8 last night, moderate to heavy showers fell west of Oahu, and a line of heavy rain came down near Niihau, Ryshko said.
A flash flood watch means conditions might develop that lead to flash flooding, which could be deadly. But forecasters do not know how much precipitation might fall.
"Flooding rain is possible, but we can't really pin things down," Ryshko said. "The potential exists for heavy rain and damaging flooding."
He said narrow canyons and deep gorges would be dangerous places.
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