A Kona low parked over Hawaiʻi Island turned late Friday (March 13) into a serious situation for the island’s east and south, with a Flash Flood Warning issued for the Kaʻū and Puna districts as heavy rain drenched the slopes. County civil-defense and state emergency officials urged residents to stay off flooded roads, move to higher ground if needed, and treat the weather as an immediate, dangerous threat.
What officials said
In a Civil Defense message shared by the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency, officials said the National Weather Service issued the warning for Kaʻū and Puna at about 6:42 p.m. HST on March 13 and cautioned that “flooding is imminent or occurring” in streams, roads, and low-lying areas. The alert, posted on the agency’s social media and accessible via Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, also reminded the public that its social channels are not monitored around the clock and that people should call 9-1-1 for emergencies.
Why the warning was issued
Forecasters said a strong Kona low was funneling deep tropical moisture across the islands and producing bursts of heavy rainfall that increased the risk of flash flooding, as reported by Hawaii News Now. The National Weather Service in Honolulu had a Flood Watch in effect for parts of the Big Island through March 14 and warned that streams and roadways could rise quickly, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu. Earlier in the week, local forecasters had already flagged the threat with flood advisories for portions of Kaʻū and Puna, Big Island Now reported.
How residents can stay safe
Officials are urging residents to head for higher ground if water starts to rise, avoid driving through any flooded roadway, and follow all evacuation or road-closure instructions from county authorities. This is not the night to find out how deep that “small” puddle really is.
For official alerts and preparedness information, the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency runs a “Get Ready” portal with county civil-defense sign-up links and safety guidance, according to the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency.
People in Kaʻū and Puna are being asked to monitor trusted county and state channels, stay off the roads when possible, and wait for the all-clear as the system continues to move through. This story will be updated as new information comes in from county and state agencies.
