Torrential mauka rains turned streets and roads into rivers Friday afternoon in Kailua-Kona, as home and business owners and motorists confronted flash floods in numerous areas.
Kuakini Highway and Hualalai Road became avenues for swift-moving brown waters, waist-deep in some areas, with police and fire personnel scrambling to close roadways to keep drivers out of danger.
Road closures as of 4 p.m. were: Hualalai Road at the intersection of Guava Lane, Highway 11 near the 103 mile marker in Honaunau and Kuakini Highway between its intersection with Queen Kaahumanu Highway and Oni Oni Street, where a flooded roadway was draining into Kailua Village.
Minor flooding was reported in several residences in low-lying areas. A water main along Kuakini Highway was damaged, and crews were working to clear roadways of debris Friday evening, said Hawaii Fire Department Battalion Chief Joseph Farias.
The bulk of the flooding subsided by 5:20 p.m., Farias said, but emergency response crews remained on alert as rain continued in mauka regions.
Barney Sheffield, Big Island disaster coordinator for the American Red Cross, said the agency was on standby but had not received any requests for shelter as a result of the flood waters.
Hawaii County Civil Defense said there were no requests for shelters, but the department had surveyed several areas.
The flooding on Hualalai Road was reminiscent of Aug. 18, with brown water covering the road in long ripples that flared over chunks of wood and other detritus. It poured into and over the storm drain on the north side, the water continued tearing down the ditch into the nearby street.
The force also covered the shoulder and began to creep into the center lane under the watch of a county Public Works worker.
This all came during a flash flood warning that was set to run until 6 p.m. Friday.
Heavy rain along a line extending from 8 miles northeast of Kailua-Kona to Honaunau was nearly stationary. Rainfall rates were estimated to be up to 3 inches per hour, according to the National Weather Service.
The state also issued a state-wide brown water advisory.
“The public is advised to stay out of the flood waters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals and associated flood debris. Not all coastal areas may be impacted by the runoff. However, if the water is brown stay out,” the advisory said.
Prep sports also felt the effect of the storm.
The football game between Konawaena and Hilo at Konawaena was canceled.
Email Bret Yager at byager@westhawaiitoday.com.
Email Graham Milldrum at gmilldrum@westhawaiitoday.com.
