Alert archive / Hawaii / Flash Flood Warnings in 2021

Flash Flood Warning 38, NWS Honolulu, HI

October 12, 2021Hawaii County, Hawaii

NWS Honolulu, HI issued this flash flood warning at Oct 12, 2021, 2:26 AM HST for Hawaii County, Hawaii. It was in force for 6 hr. 2 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The outline as issued, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Oct 12, 2021, 2:26 AM HST (12:26 UTC)
Expired
Oct 12, 2021, 7:58 AM HST
In force
6 hr
Issued by
NWS Honolulu, HI
Area
Storm-based polygon
Flood severity
None

County Hawaii County, HI

The radar

The Kamuela/Kohala Apt radar (PHKM), 57 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 12:31 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Oct 12, 6:45 AM HSTFLASH FLOODHilo, HIONE LANE OF KAMEHAMEHA AVENUE IN HILO REMAINS CLOSED DUE TO FLOODING.
Oct 12, 7:27 AM HSTFLASH FLOOD24 Wnw Hilo, HIMAUNA KEA ACCESS ROAD HAS MULTIPLE LOCATIONS WITH BEBRIS ON ROAD BETWEEN DANIEL INOUYE HWY AND HALE POHAKU DUE TO OVERNIGHT RAIN. THE ROAD ALSO REMAINS CLOSED ABOVE HALE POHAKU.

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Hilo, (PITO), launched 12:00Z, 0.4 hours before the alert went out and 36 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Hilo, at 12:00Z on 2021-10-12Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 707 joules per kilogram.LCLLFCEL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Hilo, at 12:00Z on 2021-10-12The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 30 square meters per square second.193958Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
707 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer LCL
507 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
23 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
30 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
50 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.6

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

060 
WGHW50 PHFO 121226
FFWHFO
HIC001-121515-
/O.NEW.PHFO.FF.W.0038.211012T1226Z-211012T1515Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
226 AM HST Tue Oct 12 2021

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  The island of Hawaii in Hawaii County

* Until 515 AM HST.

* At 226 AM HST, radar indicated heavy rain across the Hamakua coast 
  including the Hilo area. Rain was falling at a rate of 2 to 4 
  inches per hour. The Honolii Stream has risen to levels that could 
  lead to road closures and significant flooding in Hilo and the 
  surrounding area. The Wailuku river is also elevated that could 
  cause problems to its surrounding area as well.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy rain.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flooding in drainages, streams, rivers, roads,
           properties, and other low-lying areas. Public road
           closures possible in some areas. Landslides are
           possible in steep terrain.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honokaa, Laupahoehoe, Ookala, 
  Paauilo, Ninole, Honomu, Hakalau, Pepeekeo, Papaikou, Kamuela, 
  Mountain View, Glenwood, Volcano, Kukuihaele, Waipio Valley, Keaau 
  and Waimanu Valley.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even 
if they are currently dry.

Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on 
foot. Turn around, don't drown.

&&

This warning may need to be extended beyond 515 AM HST if flooding 
persists.

LAT...LON 2011 15588 2022 15571 2014 15559 2011 15545
      1999 15521 1986 15507 1976 15508 1975 15499
      1965 15497 1962 15492 1958 15491 1941 15532
      1973 15543

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

LAU
3 follow-up statements
623 
WGHW50 PHFO 121503
FFWHFO
HIC001-121815-
/O.EXT.PHFO.FF.W.0038.000000T0000Z-211012T1815Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
503 AM HST Tue Oct 12 2021

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has extended the

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  The island of Hawaii in Hawaii County

* Until 815 AM HST.

* At 503 AM HST, radar indicated pockets of moderate to heavy rain 
  across the Hamakua coast including the Hilo and Puna districts. 
  Rain was falling at a rate up to 1 inch per hour. Although the 
  widespread heavy rains have abated, the Honolii Stream and Wailuku 
  River remains swollen and elevated. This is on top of 3 to 6 
  inches of rain overnight across the Hamakua coast and in the Hilo 
  and Puna districts. Any additional downpours could lead to road 
  closures and significant flooding particularly the Hilo and 
  surrounding area.

  HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy rain.

  SOURCE...Radar.

  IMPACT...Flooding in drainages, streams, rivers, roads,
           properties, and other low-lying areas. Public road
           closures possible in some areas. Landslides are
           possible in steep terrain.

* Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honokaa, Laupahoehoe, Ookala, 
  Paauilo, Ninole, Honomu, Hakalau, Pepeekeo, Papaikou, Kamuela, 
  Mountain View, Glenwood, Volcano, Kukuihaele, Waipio Valley, Keaau 
  and Waimanu Valley.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even 
if they are currently dry.

Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on 
foot. Turn around, don't drown.

&&

This warning may need to be extended beyond 815 AM HST if flooding 
persists.

LAT...LON 2011 15588 2022 15571 2014 15559 2011 15545
      1999 15521 1986 15507 1976 15508 1975 15499
      1965 15497 1962 15492 1958 15491 1941 15532
      1973 15543

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

LAU
715 
WGHW70 PHFO 121653
FFSHFO

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
653 AM HST Tue Oct 12 2021

HIC001-121815-
/O.CON.PHFO.FF.W.0038.000000T0000Z-211012T1815Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Hawaii HI-
653 AM HST Tue Oct 12 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 815 AM HST THIS 
MORNING FOR THE ISLAND OF HAWAII IN HAWAII COUNTY...

At 653 AM HST, radar and gages indicated heavy showers over windward 
Big Island have decreased considerably, with rain rates down below 1 
inch per hour in most locations. Streams are declining but remain 
high, and runoff continues to pose a hazard. Emergency management 
reports that one lane of Kamehameha Avenue in Hilo remains closed.

HAZARD...Flash flooding caused by heavy rain.

SOURCE...Radar.

IMPACT...Flooding in drainages, streams, rivers, roads,
         properties, and other low-lying areas. Public road
         closures possible in some areas. Landslides are possible
         in steep terrain.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include...
  Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Honokaa, Laupahoehoe, Ookala, 
  Paauilo, Ninole, Honomu, Hakalau, Pepeekeo, Papaikou, Kamuela, 
  Mountain View, Glenwood, Volcano, Kukuihaele, Waipio Valley, Keaau 
  and Waimanu Valley.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even 
if they are currently dry.

Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on 
foot. Turn around, don't drown.

&&

LAT...LON 2011 15588 2022 15571 2014 15559 2011 15545
      1999 15521 1986 15507 1976 15508 1975 15499
      1965 15497 1962 15492 1958 15491 1941 15532
      1973 15543

FLASH FLOOD...RADAR INDICATED

$$

WROE
630 
WGHW70 PHFO 121758
FFSHFO

Flash Flood Statement
National Weather Service Honolulu HI
758 AM HST Tue Oct 12 2021

HIC001-121808-
/O.CAN.PHFO.FF.W.0038.000000T0000Z-211012T1815Z/
/00000.0.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/
Hawaii HI-
758 AM HST Tue Oct 12 2021

...FLASH FLOOD WARNING IS CANCELLED FOR THE ISLAND OF HAWAII IN 
HAWAII COUNTY...

Heavy rainfall has diminished, and high flow in streams is slowly 
decreasing. Runoff will continue to decrease over the next couple of 
hours, but flooding is no longer expected to pose a threat.

LAT...LON 2011 15588 2022 15571 2014 15559 2011 15545
      1999 15521 1986 15507 1976 15508 1975 15499
      1965 15497 1962 15492 1958 15491 1941 15532
      1973 15543

$$

WROE

The office that day

Everything else NWS Honolulu, HI issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Oct 11, 7:19 PM HSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHFOHawaii3 hr
Oct 11, 11:16 PM HSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHFOHawaii3 hr
Oct 12, 2:09 AM HSTAreal Flood AdvisoryHFOHawaii6 hr

Nearby

Flash Flood Warnings in Hawaii, 2021Every flash flood warning in 2021

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; local storm reports from the same archive; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.