GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
After evacuating rainwater from a brief but intense storm yesterday afternoon, Honolulu firefighters Randall Lindsey, Ricardo Yost and Dudley Dias emerged from a flooded Hawaii Kai home at 742 Lunalilo Home Road.
Islands spared
worst of weatherMost of the expected weekend
rain fell over the ocean but yielded
hail and lightning
Thunderstorms that were predicted to hit the state Saturday night and yesterday blew in as forecast, though meteorologists said most of the rain fell over the ocean.
Heavy rain and thundershowers were still predicted for last night and into today.
An estimated 8 inches of rain fell offshore of Oahu, and another 10 inches fell offshore of the Big Island Saturday night and yesterday morning. A flash flood warning was canceled as of 4:50 p.m. yesterday, although a flash flood watch was in effect for the entire state.
"It's small showers," said National Weather Service meteorologist Roy Matsuda, "but it was raining like crazy offshore."
What did hit land was enough to cause some problems and unusual weather patterns on Oahu. Fire crews were called to pump out homes in Hawaii Kai and Wahiawa, and a Maili resident said she saw lightning strike the roof of an abandoned building on Kulaaupuni Street.
An afternoon hailstorm hit Nanakuli, taking residents by surprise.
"We heard something hit the roof, then hit the window," said Nanakuli resident Savannah Byrd. "My cousin was outside, and they were saying that there was ice coming down from the sky. ... It was about as big as a dime."
GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM
As he pumped out water that flowed from his pool area yesterday, Hawaii Kai resident Sean Kuboi inspected a flooded patio area at 752 Lunalilo Home Road with his mother, Hisako.
The Weather Service issued a winter storm warning yesterday for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa. Drifting snow as deep as three feet blocked the road to 13,792-foot summit of Mauna Kea last night. The service also issued a winter storm watch for Haleakala.
State Civil Defense officials advised residents and businesses in or near flood-prone areas to prepare for the possibility of flooding. "This message is especially important to those on Oahu in the Mapunapuna-Ahua Street areas, Moanalua Valley, Moanalua Gardens and Foster Village who experienced damage during the heavy rains earlier this month," a Civil Defense statement said.
"Thankfully, there hasn't been any sort of flood disaster," said state Civil Defense spokesman Ray Lovell. "But the truth of the matter is that the potential for this isn't over yet."
Yesterday afternoon, the low-pressure system bringing the rain was north of Kauai, Matsuda said. Over the past two days, some brief showers hit Oahu but not enough to cause any significant flooding.
"We've seen radar indications of rain in Waimanalo, Waialua and Kaena Point," he said. "By tonight (Sunday) we think the rains could pop up anywhere in the state."
State Civil Defense advised that residents take the following flood protective measures:
>> Do not park automobiles near streams or where water collects.More information about flood precautions can be found on the state Civil Defense Web site at www.scd.state.hi.us.>> Place valuable items, including store inventories and computer equipment, well above ground-floor level.
>> Prepare to use sandbags or other methods to divert water.
>> Prepare to evacuate should flooding pose a health or safety hazard.
>> Stay tuned to local broadcast stations for current weather information.
