Kaua‘i was slammed with another round of windy and wet weather yesterday as rain saturated the island and caused flooding in several areas. Residents retreated to higher ground during a several hours-long flash flood warning and took cover when a
Kaua‘i was slammed with another round of windy and wet weather yesterday as rain saturated the island and caused flooding in several areas.
Residents retreated to higher ground during a several hours-long flash flood warning and took cover when a rare tornado warning for the island went into effect for about an hour in the afternoon.
At 12:45 p.m., radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado seven miles southwest of Kaumakani, 24 miles west of Lihu‘e, moving northeast at 35 mph. The tornado warning expired at 1:30 p.m. Reports of a touchdown near Kaumakani could not be confirmed at press time.
The public was urged to stay off the roads and the Kaua‘i Fire Department’s Ocean Safety Bureau closed all beaches. Residents and visitors are requested to stay out of the potentially hazardous brown water.
An average of 4 to 6 inches of rain fell per hour over most of the island, with as much as 8 to 10 inches in some areas, according to the National Weather Service report yesterday morning.
“We’ve been stuck in this wet pattern that causes immediate flooding, but it should be better by Sunday,” said Kevin Kodama, senior service hydrologist for the Weather Forecast Office in Honolulu.
The weather this week has been “quite exceptional,” he said.
Heavy wind and rain reportedly hit the Westside of the island the hardest, causing major flooding, especially in the Waimea Valley and near the Waimea Big Save.
An assessment of the damage to homes and property will continue today.
On the North Shore, the Hanalei Bridge remained closed throughout most of the day and traffic was reduced to one lane on Kalihiwai Bridge due to a fallen tree.
A landslide was reported on Anini Beach Road, which caused temporary closure of one lane.
Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative responded to power outages throughout the island, including localized areas of Kekaha and Kalaheo.
Several road closures prevented traffic from flowing as usual, including Mailihuna and Keaka Road in Kapa‘a, Kukui‘ula Bypass Road, Kekaha Road between Kala Road and Io Road and Hanapepe Road at Kaumauali‘i Highway.
Additionally, a sewage spill along Waialo Road near ‘Ele‘ele Shopping Center occurred around 9:30 a.m. yesterday, but was contained approximately two hours later.
The county reported at 6:15 p.m. that its Wastewater Management Division had stopped the spill along Waialo Road, but a county news release says work to repair the damaged sewage line will continue today.
Crews planned to set up a bypass pump yesterday evening which will keep the spill from recurring until the line can be repaired, the release states. Aqua Engineers has been retained to repair the pipe, which was damaged by the root of a nearby monkeypod tree.
Another spill of treated effluent occurred earlier in the morning in Waimea and was the result of the opening of Kikiaola ditch due to the threat of imminent flooding.
Several activities were canceled for the day, but are expected to be re-scheduled, including Kaua‘i Path’s Second Saturday Sweep.
Friday evening, Gov. Linda Lingle signed a state disaster proclamation for the counties of Kaua‘i, Maui and Honolulu because of the damage created by the storm system that blasted the islands earlier this week.
“We have a great concern for those who have been impacted by the severe weather,” she said in a press release. “This action will allow us to begin the recovery process as well as provide a means for repairing public infrastructure.”
Also Friday evening, emergency crews responded to a three-vehicle crash that happened on rain-soaked roads at the entrance to Wilcox Memorial Hospital in Lihu‘e. Additional details were unavailable at press time.
Civil Defense will continue to assess the extent of damage on Kaua‘i.
Sugarcane fields were drenched on the Westside and taro field were flooded on the North Shore.
Police scanner traffic reported downed power lines, debris and related small fires. No injuries were reported.
A flash flood watch remained in effect through last night.
Boaters are advised to remain alert for rapidly changing weather conditions, according to the National Weather Service.
• Coco Zickos, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 251) or czickos@kauaipubco.com
