LIHU‘E — A Kona low is forecast to take aim at Kaua‘i. The island is predicted to be the most heavily impacted in the Hawaiian Island chain due to severe weather conditions this week, as officials urged residents to prepare for heavy rain and flash flood conditions.
The National Weather Service said the storm system is expected to cause excessive rainfall on Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau and O‘ahu, and create the potential for flash floods and thunderstorms.
The National Weather Service has warned the atmospheric event may put lives and property at risk.
“A moist and unstable air mass will move northward into the islands Tuesday through Thursday as a Kona low develops to the west of Kaua‘i and increases southerly flow across the state,” the National Weather Service said in a statement.
John Bravender, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Honolulu, told The Garden Island that Kaua‘i is the island most at risk in the state due to its proximity to the Kona low.
“With this Kona low forming west of the state, that puts Kaua‘i, in particular, in the crosshairs for the heavier rain threat,” he said in an interview on late Monday afternoon. “Right now, it’s island-wide. There’s no particular part of the island that is more at risk than any other parts.
The flood watch will begin on Tuesday morning for Kaua‘i, Ni‘ihau and O‘ahu, and is set to remain in effect through Thursday afternoon.
Maui and Hawai‘i Island are currently not included in the warning, but the National Weather Service said the potential for flash flooding and thunderstorms may expand to those islands on Wednesday and Thursday.
The advisory is currently for a flood watch, which has been issued ahead of time to give people notice that there’s the potential for flash flooding.
“Once something does develop and we start to see heavy rainfall, and we see which areas of the island are being impacted, then we’ll put out a flash flood warning and let people know specifically which areas are being impacted, which areas may need to be evacuated, and where the flooding is most dangerous,” Bravender said.
In a Monday press release, officials with the County of Kaua‘i said Kuhio Highway, near the Hanalei Bridge, may need to close with short to no advance notice due to flooding. They also said utilities and other services may be disrupted.
Like Bravender, county officials also urged the public to be vigilant while the island is under the severe weather warning.
In order to prepare for a weather emergency, the County of Kaua‘i recommends people have emergency preparedness kits, consisting of a 14-day supply of food and water in case of power outages and water service disruptions.
Nonperishable food is advised, as well as 14 gallons of water per person (1 gallon per day). The county also advises people to have a battery-powered radio, flashlight, prescription medicines and hand sanitizer.
Additionally, the county is advising people to remove outdoor items that may be picked up by high winds, as well as clear gutters and other drainage systems.
People are also advised to have evacuation and shelter plans prepared.
“There are no plans to open shelters at this time,” the County of Kaua‘i said in a statement. “However, the county will work with the American Red Cross to open shelters on an as-needed basis and announce a list of open shelters if or when they become available.”
The release included a statement from Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency Administrator Elton Ushio, who advised people to avoid nonessential travel.
“Officials advise caution and recommend avoiding nonessential travel and outdoor activities during inclement weather with heavy rain and possible strong thunderstorms in the forecast,” Ushio said. “In recent flash flood warning events, multiple people had to be rescued when trying to cross flood-prone areas like roadways, rivers/streams and low-lying areas.”
Ushio was referring to a flash flood warning on March 29, when multiple people had to be rescued from vehicles in the Lawa‘i area due to flooding.
Kona lows are most common between October and April, typically bringing heavy rainfall to the Hawaiian Islands within a short period of time.
Bravender noted the flood watch is the first one of the wet season, and said that there are about three to four in the state per year.
“Everybody across the island should get ready for heavy rain. … Wherever you live, just in case,” he said.
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Emma Grunwald, reporter, can be reached 808-652-0638 or egrunwald@thegardenisland.com.
