LIHU‘E — Lightning strikes, pounding surf and heavy showers clobbered parts of Kaua‘i on Sunday. The severe weather caused power outages in Kapa‘a, a landslide in Lumaha‘i and temporary road closures, county officials said. The Ke‘e Beach lifeguard tower and
LIHU‘E — Lightning strikes, pounding surf and heavy showers clobbered parts of Kaua‘i on Sunday.
The severe weather caused power outages in Kapa‘a, a landslide in Lumaha‘i and temporary road closures, county officials said. The Ke‘e Beach lifeguard tower and Kekaha Landfill were also closed until further notice.
The rain fell at a rate of a few inches per hour in some places on the North Shore and Westside, according to the National Weather Service.
The island was under a flash flood warning for several hours in the afternoon and evening as the storms rolled in from the west. A high surf warning remains in effect until noon today, according to the NWS.
Locations under the flood warning included: Ha‘ena, Wainiha, Na Pali Coast State Park, Kekaha, Waimea, Polihale and Pakala.
A Kaua‘i Civil Defense message stating, “The sky is falling,” was sent in error earlier Sunday, according to a county spokesperson. A follow-up message from Civil Defense with accurate information was sent later that afternoon.
Beth Tokioka, the mayor’s executive assistant, said county officials are unsure how the test message was sent instead of the actual message about the flood warning.
“We are in contact with Connect CTY to diagnose what went wrong to insure it does not happen again,” she said. “We sincerely apologize for the error.”
Conditions will be reassessed today to determine if the Ke‘e lifeguard tower can be re-opened.
High stream flow over the road crossing along Manoa and Limahuli streams closed the road to Ke‘e Beach earlier Sunday afternoon. The water has since receded and the road has been reopened.
The landslide was reported in Lumaha‘i along Kuhio Highway, closing the southbound lane, county officials said. At press time Sunday, KPD was on scene redirecting traffic as state road crews worked to clear the area.
At 1:46 p.m., rain gages in Koke‘e and Wainiha reported rain falling at a rate of 3 to 4 inches per hour, according to the NWS. Additional heavy showers continued to develop later Sunday over waters west of Kaua‘i, moving east at 15 mph.
The landfill was closed due to lighting strikes at the facility, county officials said. For more information, call the landfill at 337-1416.
There were reports of ponding in low-lying areas across the island.
A flash flood warning means flash flooding is imminent or occurring in streams, roads and low-lying areas. NWS officials advise moving to higher ground immediately and not crossing fast-flowing or rising water via vehicle or on foot.
Runoff from this storm may also cause rock and mudslides in steep terrain, according to the NWS.
Visit www.kauaiexplorer.com for up-to-date information about ocean conditions.
• Nathan Eagle, managing editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 227) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.
