LIHUE — Moisture associated with Tropical Depression Kilo generated a flash flood watch for Kauai which remains in effect until 6 p.m. today, and may be extended.
Weather and the county’s emergency management officials said the band of moisture can produce periods of intense and slow-moving torrential downpours and thunderstorms which could result in flash flooding.
On Sunday, the state’s Department of Land and Natural Resources closed the Kalalau Trail until further notice due to the potential for heavy rains and flash flooding. Weather officials are urging campers and hikers across the state to reconsider scheduling their activities until more favorable weather arrives.
DLNR officials remind people that it does not have to be raining where they are for flash flooding to take place.
Weather conditions from the passage of Kilo to the south of the Hawaiian Islands can be highly variable and weather alerts can be modified as conditions develop.
At 2 p.m. Sunday, the center of Tropical Depression Kilo was located 670 miles southwest of Lihue and 635 miles south-southwest of Niihau and moving west-northwest near 13 mph. That motion was expected to continue, followed by a gradual turn toward the northwest and a decrease in forward speed through today, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
Maximum sustained winds were near 35 mph with higher gusts. Some slow intensification was expected through tonight, and Kilo is expected to become a tropical storm again, forecasters said.
A tropical storm watch was issued for the Johnston Atoll since the National Weather Service forecasts the storm to pass closely to the east of it tonight and Tuesday.
Interests in the western main Hawaiian Islands, which include Kauai and Niihau, as well as the eastern portions of the Papahanaumokuakea National Marine Monument, should monitor the progress of Kilo over the next several days.
County officials encourage the public to register for Connect CTY, the county’s mass notification system, to receive a phone call, text message, and/or email in the event a weather alert of public safety message is issued. Registration can be done by visiting www.kauai.gov and clicking on the “Connect CTY” icon which appears on the website.
For a list of items to include in a family emergency kit and other emergency preparedness tips, visit the Civil Defense website at www.kauai.gov/civildefense.
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
