Hawaii braces for powerful kona storm bringing heavy rain and strong winds | Hawaii
Hawaii is bracing for a powerful storm this week that is expected to cause high winds, storms and possibly serious flooding on many islands.
Gov. Josh Green said Monday he was issuing an emergency declaration in response to weather conditions expected to hit his state in the coming days to provide additional resources to affected areas.
“It’s going to be a bit of a rough and bumpy week with the weather,” Green said in a video posted on social media. “Be very safe. Be especially careful on the roads.”
The National Weather Service (NWS) reported that a “large and powerful storm Kona” would cause heavy rainfall, resulting in flooding on small islands and urban areas, as well as potentially severe thunderstorms and high winds. It will first hit Kauai, Niihau and Oahu on Tuesday and will spread to other islands in the coming days.
In the statement made by the governor’s office, it was stated that more damaging situations could be seen on the islands later in the week.
The state closed numerous parks and trails in response to the forecast and urged people to avoid both forested and coastal areas due to storm surge, high waves, rising creeks and falling trees.
“Our priority is keeping the people of Hawaii safe,” Green said.
The flood watch will be in effect through Saturday, and the NWS said residents should be prepared by determining evacuation routes and shelters and planning for pets and vulnerable family members.
A meteorologist with the NWS said: San Francisco Chronicle Some parts of the islands could see more than 20 inches of rain. “But that’s just a guess,” Laura Farris said.
Kilauea on Hawaii’s Big Island began erupting on Tuesday, spewing fountains of lava as high as 1,000 feet and prompting warnings about falling glassy volcanic debris and ash.
The eruption, which began Tuesday morning, was the 43rd episode since the eruption began in December 2024. As at other times, molten rock was trapped in Kilauea’s summit crater within Hawaii Volcanoes national park and did not threaten homes or buildings.
But the lava fountains were causing trouble for neighboring communities, creating a highway where volcanic debris and ash, known as tephra, fell. Tephra led to the temporary closure of the national park around the summit and the partial closure of Highway 11, a key route around the island, on both sides of the park.
Hawaii County officials also opened a shelter at the county gym for residents and tourists affected by road closures or tephra falls. The National Weather Service has issued an ashfall warning.
Volcanic tephra can irritate the eyes, skin and respiratory system, according to county officials. Tephra can also clog water collection systems and cause other problems, which are common in some parts of the Big Island, officials said.
Associated Press contributed reporting
