UPDATE: 1:25 p.m.
The tropical storm warning for the island of Hawaii remains in effect as heavy rain and gusty winds continue to lash the island as Hone moves south.
For this reason, Hawaii County Civil Defense advises:
>> Highway 11 in the Kau District between Whittington Park and Punaluluu remains closed due to flooding.
>> Kau Gym in Pahala and Naalehu Community Center in Naalehu are open.
>> All other public emergency shelters that were open on Saturday have been closed since midday today.
>> The Hele On Bus routes that were suspended over the weekend will resume service on Monday morning.
>> Department of Education schools are expected to remain open Monday morning. Families with children attending charter or private schools should check with school administrators for opening status.
Hawaii County residents whose property was damaged by Hurricane Hone should report the damage online at the Civil Defense website at this link or call Civil Defense at 808-935-0031.
11am
A tropical storm warning and flash flood warning remain in effect for Hawaii County until 12:15 p.m. as Hurricane Hone gradually moves away from the island.
A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area.
Today at 10:06 a.m., radar showed a band of heavy rain over the southeast flank of the Big Isle. The highest rainfall recorded was 1 to 2 inches, with up to 3 inches per hour between South Point and Volcano.
“Paauau Gulch levels have continued to rise since 10 a.m. In the Kau District, Highway 11 remains closed at Kawa Flats, and Wood Valley Road and Cane Haul Road remain closed near Pahala. Heavy rain will continue for the remainder of the morning as Hurricane Hone moves westward into the southwestern part of the Big Island,” forecasters said.
As of 11 a.m. today, Hone was located about 100 miles southwest of Kailua-Kona on Big Isle and about 175 miles south-southeast of Honolulu. It had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph with stronger gusts and was moving west-northwest at 12 mph.
Hurricane-force winds reach up to 24 kilometers outward from the center, while tropical storm-force winds reach up to 145 kilometers.
“Tropical storm conditions will persist on the Big Island into the early afternoon, with winds and rain gradually decreasing during the evening. Winds will be strongest on higher elevations, over headlands, and through passes,” the forecast said.
Areas affected by flash flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kapaau, Honokaa, Pohakuloa Training Area, Pohakuloa Camp, Volcano, Glenwood, Mountain View, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Wood Valley, Pahala, Hawaiian Acres, Papaikou, Keaau, Honomu, Pepeekeo, Orchidlands Estates and Laupahoehoe.
Hone is expected to bring an additional 3 to 5 inches of rainfall, primarily over the windward and southeastern slopes of the island of Hawaii, while an additional 1 to 3 inches of rainfall is possible, primarily over the windward areas of the smaller islands.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE
Heavy rain and gusty winds are lashing the island of Hawaii, which remains under a tropical storm warning this morning as Hurricane Hone passes just south of the island.
As of 8 a.m., Hone’s center was about 90 miles south-southwest of Kona and 210 miles south-southeast of Honolulu, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and westward winds of 8 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Hurricane-force winds reached up to 25 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds reached up to 115 miles.
“Hone is expected to gradually weaken over the next few days,” meteorologists said.
Hone, which strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane overnight, is forecast to continue moving westward, well south of the smaller islands, and weaken back to a tropical storm by Monday as it moves farther away from the state.
The passing tropical cyclone is expected to bring “strong and gusty easterly winds and at times heavy rain” through Monday as Hone passes south of the islands, meteorologists said today.
The Big Island is hardest hit by the rain and wind from Hurricane Hone.
A flash flood warning is in effect for the island until 9:15 a.m.
“At 5:49 a.m., radar continued to show heavy rain on the southeast flank of the Big Island,” the warning said. “The highest rainfall amounts were over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Wood Valley at 1 to 2 inches per hour. In the Kau District, Highway 11 remains closed at Kawa Flats, and Wood Valley Road and Cane Haul Road remain closed near Pahala. In the Puna District, North Kulani Road remains closed. Heavy rain will continue into the morning hours as Hurricane Hone moves westward into the southwestern Big Island.”
At 4 a.m. Hone reached the point where it came closest to the island, passing South Point about 45 miles south-southwest.
“Rainfall of 6 to 10 inches has already fallen on the windward Big Island over the past 18 to 24 hours, and rainbands will continue to move toward the east and southeast slopes as Hone passes the Big Island,” meteorologists said at 5 a.m.
“Further heavy rains are creating a moderate to high risk of flash flooding in Hawaii County today. The greatest risk of flooding is on the eastern and southeast windward slopes of the Big Island, including the Hamakua, Hilo, Puna and Kau districts. Additional rainfall estimates for these areas through Monday range from 3 to 6 inches.”
There are pet-friendly shelters throughout the island of Hawaii, including:
>> Ka’u Herkes Gym and Cafeteria at Naalehu Elementary School
>> Pahoa High School gymnasium, Keaau High School library and building G, and Mt. View Elementary School cafeteria
>> Waiakea High School gym in Hilo
>>Honokaa High School and Middle School Cafeteria
Several roads and highways, including the Waipio Valley Access Road, were closed this morning due to flooding.
Gusty winds from Hone were already felt on the smaller islands this morning.
On Maui, county officials said Olinda Road in front of Seabury Hall was closed because of a fallen large tree carrying power lines. And on Oahu, Paki Avenue eastbound from Monsarrat Avenue to Kapahulu Avenue was closed because of a fallen power pole, city officials said.
The National Weather Service has issued a number of advisories, watches and warnings for the entire state due to Hone, including:
>> A wind warning for parts of Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Niihau and Oahu until 6 a.m. Monday, with northeast winds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts exceeding 50 mph. “Winds of this strength can rip off roof shingles, tear down tree limbs, blow away tents and awnings, and make steering difficult, especially for drivers of high-profile vehicles,” the warning said.
>> A gale warning is in effect for Kahoolawe, Lanai, Maui and Molokai until 6 a.m. Monday, with northeast winds of 20 to 40 mph and gusts up to 70 mph.
>> A wave warning is in effect for the east coast of Molokai, Maui, Oahu and Kauai until 6 p.m. Surf heights of 2.1 to 3 meters are expected.
>> And a small craft advisory for Kauai Channel, Leeward Waters of Oahu, Kaiwi Channel and Leeward Waters of Maui County until 6 a.m. in 10 to 15 foot swells.
Meanwhile, Category 3 Hurricane Gilma maintained its strength overnight in the eastern Pacific this morning, but is expected to weaken and dissipate as it reaches the central Pacific.
As of 5 a.m. today, Gilma was located 1,415 miles east of Hilo, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph and westward winds of 9 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The latest five-day forecast calls for Gilma to weaken to a post-tropical remnant low by Friday as it moves well to the northeast of Hawaii island.
