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Hawaii Braces for New Storm With Flash-Flood Risk This Week

Soils remain saturated, making any tropical moisture from a slow-moving low prone to rapid, destructive runoff.

Overview

  • The National Weather Service warned a developing low will funnel deep tropical moisture over Hawaii this week, bringing several inches of rain and a risk of dangerous flash flooding.
  • Forecasters expect the most intense period to come mid to late week, and they say strong thunderstorms and gusty downslope winds are possible if the system strengthens.
  • Officials cautioned that soils are still saturated from March's floods, so even moderate rain could cause fast runoff, rising streams and renewed flooding in hard-hit areas.
  • Forecast discussions note the pattern could linger, with a tap of tropical moisture possibly persisting into mid-April and setting up additional rounds of heavy rain.
  • The weather service urged residents to review plans and stock food, water and medications, as March’s back-to-back Kona lows caused about $1 billion in damage, more than 230 rescues and evacuations for 5,500 people near Wahiawa Dam.