Tropical Cyclone Local Statement for Niihau; Kauai Southwest; Kauai Mountains +40 more

Full official description

Bulletin details

HLSHFO This product covers the Hawaiian islands **DAMAGING WINDS AND HEAVY RAIN CONTINUE ACROSS THE BIG ISLAND AND MAUI COUNTY** NEW INFORMATION --------------- * CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS: A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued and the Hurricane Warning has been cancelled for Big Island East, Big Island Interior, Big Island North, Big Island South, Big Island Southeast, Big Island Summits, Kohala, and Kona * CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS: A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Big Island East, Big Island Interior, Big Island North, Big Island South, Big Island Southeast, Big Island Summits, Central Oahu, East Honolulu, Ewa Plain, Haleakala Summit, Honolulu Metro, Kahoolawe, Kauai East, Kauai Mountains, Kauai North, Kauai South, Kauai Southwest, Kipahulu, Kohala, Kona, Koolau Leeward, Koolau Windward, Lanai Leeward, Lanai Mauka, Lanai South, Lanai Windward, Maui Central Valley North, Maui Central Valley South, Maui Leeward West, Maui Windward West, Molokai Leeward South, Molokai North, Molokai Southeast, Molokai West, Molokai Windward, Niihau, Oahu North Shore, Olomana, South Haleakala, South Maui/Upcountry, Waianae Coast, Waianae Mountains, and Windward Haleakala * STORM INFORMATION: About 100 miles south-southeast of Honolulu or about 100 miles west of Kailua-Kona 19.9N 157.6W Storm Intensity 70 mph Movement Northwest or 310 degrees at 15 mph SITUATION OVERVIEW ------------------ Tropical Storm Lala continues to bring damaging winds, heavy rainfall leading to flash flooding, and dangerously high surf to portions of the state. Heavy rain associated with the tropical storm extends across the Big Island and Maui County this morning and will spread northwest to reach Oahu and Kauai later this morning. The center of Tropical Storm Lala remains located west of the Big Island and will continue generally westward, tracking south of the island chain today. Do not focus on the exact forecast track or intensity of Lala as impacts extend well beyond the center of the tropical storm. Rainfall between 15 to 30 inches has been observed over the last 18 hours for the eastern and southern Big Island. Rain rates have generally decreased to one inch per hour or less for the Big Island. The threat for flooding continues for the Big Island and Maui County and spreads to the rest of the state later this morning. Heavy rainfall could persist into Monday for some areas, mainly over the western end of the island chain. Lala is expected to produce additional rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches across the Big Island with 4 to 6 additional inches of rain for the smaller islands. Locally higher amounts are possible. While the highest rainfall amounts will be focused over windward areas and higher terrain, leeward areas will also have a significant flood risk. Winds and wind gusts on the Big Island and across Maui have decreased early this morning. Sustained winds are now mostly 25 mph or less for these islands, though wind gusts up to 60 mph are still occurring along the Saddle Road and portions of Maui. Sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph continue for the other islands, with isolated mountain and downslope locations, particularly on Molokai, experiencing gusts as high as 80 mph. Tropical storm conditions, with sustained winds over 39 mph, are still expected across the state through this evening. It is very important to note that the mountainous terrain of the islands will likely produce localized areas of highly enhanced and damaging winds, even well away from the tropical cyclone center. East swell is subsiding for the Big Island but is currently peaking for Maui County. Surf will continue to build further west, peaking over the next several hours for Oahu and later this morning for Kauai. Some increase in surf is also possible today along exposed south-facing shores as Lala continues westward. Significant beach erosion and overwash are still possible across vulnerable coastal infrastructure. POTENTIAL IMPACTS ----------------- * WIND: Potential impacts from the main wind event are now unfolding across the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui County. Remain well sheltered from life-threatening wind having additional extensive impacts. If realized, these impacts include: Considerable roof damage to sturdy buildings, with some having window, door, and garage door failures leading to structural damage. Mobile homes severely damaged, with some destroyed. Damage accentuated by airborne projectiles. Locations may be uninhabitable for weeks. Many large trees snapped or uprooted along with fences and roadway signs blown over. Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. Several bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable. Large areas with power and communications outages. Potential impacts from the main wind event are also now unfolding across the rest of the state. Remain well sheltered from dangerous wind having additional limited to significant impacts. * FLOODING RAIN: Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui County. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having additional devastating impacts. If realized, these impacts include: Extreme rainfall flooding may prompt numerous evacuations and rescues. Rivers and tributaries may overwhelmingly overflow their banks in many places with deep moving water. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become raging rivers. In mountain areas, deadly runoff may rage down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed. Flood waters can enter numerous structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Numerous places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of raging water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become very dangerous. Numerous road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out. Potential impacts from the flooding rain are still unfolding across the rest of the state. Remain well guarded against life-threatening flood waters having additional limited to extensive impacts. * SURGE: Potential impacts from the main surge event are now unfolding across the Big Island of Hawaii and Maui. Remain well away from locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore. Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road. Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents. Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. * TORNADOES: Potential impacts from tornadoes are still unfolding across the Hawaiian islands. Remain well braced against a tornado event having possible limited impacts. If realized, these impacts include: The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution of emergency plans during tropical events. A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power and communications disruptions. Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned, large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats pulled from moorings. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS ---------------------------------- * EVACUATIONS: Follow the advice of local officials * OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION: Now is the time to stay inside and away from windows. Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy. During the peak of the storm be ready to move quickly. Keep your shoes on and rain gear handy. Boots and athletic shoes offer the best foot protection if you become unexpectedly exposed to the weather. Keep your cell phone charged and in power-saving mode. If you lose power, use it sparingly and mainly for personal emergencies and check-ins. Do not be a thrill seeker or risk your life for senseless photos or videos. Quickly move to the safest place within your shelter if it begins to fail, preferably an interior room on the lowest floor as long as flooding is not a concern. If you are prone to flooding, be prepared for the possibility of a quick and dramatic rise in water levels. * ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION: For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org NEXT UPDATE ----------- The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather Service in Honolulu HI around 5 AM HST, or sooner if conditions warrant.