Gusty showers hitting northwest portion of Kaua‘i; flood advisory issued islandwide

Gusty showers are hitting Kaua‘i and a flood advisory is in effect for the entire island till 11:45 a.m.

At 8:34 a.m., Doppler radar was tracking gusty showers over Polihale, or 24 miles west of Līhu‘e, moving northeast at 25 mph. Wind gusts are reaching up to 40 mph.

These gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects.

Torrential rainfall is also occurring with this storm and may lead to localized flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways, according to the National Weather Service.

Impacted areas include Waimea Canyon State Park, Mana, Alakai Swamp Trails, Kaumakani, Nāpali State Park, Hanapēpē, Barking Sands, Wainiha, Kekaha, Waimea, Polihale, Kōke‘e State Park, Pakala Village, ‘Ele‘ele, Hā‘ena, and Hanalei.

At 8:42 a.m., radar showed a band of heavy rain moving over Kauai from the south. The heaviest rainfall will track mostly over the western half of the island, though additional
heavy showers could form farther east.

Rain was generally falling at a rate of 0.5 to 1.5 inches per hour, with isolated rates up to 2 inches per hour. Heavy rain could result in flooding along portions of Kuhio Highway near
Hanalei.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Hanalei, Kalāheo, Kekaha, Princeville, North Fork Wailua Trails, ‘Ōmao, Kōke‘e State Park, Hanapēpē, Wainiha, Nāpali State Park, Kōloa, Hā‘ena, Waimea and Wailua.

A flood watch is also in effect for Kaua‘i County till 6 p.m. Thursday.