Ponding seen on yards in Hilo as heavy rain falls. Taken at 8:30 a.m. HST on Monday.

HAWAII ISLAND – A large stretch of Highway 19 on the Hamakua Coast is closed due to flooding, as East Hawaii suffered a severe soaking on Sunday night into Monday morning.

Police issued this alert over the Nixle system:

Hawaii County Police

“Highway 19 remains closed in the area of the 34-mile marker due to severe flooding. However due to flooding, debris, and other road hazards along the Hamakua Coast, the closure has been extended and Highway 19 is closed from the 26 through 36 mile marker. Crews are working to clear debris; it is unknown when Highway 19 will reopen. Please drive with caution.”

The National Weather Service has issued a flood advisory for Hawaii County for 10:30 a.m. HST. The advisory was at one point a flash flood warning.

National Weather Service, Dec. 29, 2013

“… at 7:30 am hst… Radar showed heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms moving to the southeast at 10 mph across the south Hilo and Puna districts…With rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Moderate showers persist along the north Hilo and Hamakua districts where runoff from earlier heavy rainfall remains high. Other locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Papaikou… Paauilo… Ookala… Laupahoehoe… Honomu… Honokaa… Hakalau…Hilo… and Pahoa.”

The National Weather Service warns residents should stay away from streams. Drainage ditches and low lying areas prone to flooding. They say rainfall and runoff will also cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action. Also, the weather service says do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle or on foot.

For those keeping an eye out for snow on the summit of Mauna Kea, images from the observatory webcams confirm a coating:

Snow on the mauna, from Keck 1 looking north northeast

The Mauna Kea rangers report the road to the summit is now closed at the Visitor Information Station due to freezing temperatures and light snow.

Thunder and lightning continue to rumble over East Hawaii. Many residents of Hilo awoke to the loud crashes overhead early this morning. There were even reports of hail in Puna last night.

The National Weather Service says the heavy rains are expected to cease today as the upper level trough slides east of the Big Island.

NWS radar map, 8:45 a.m. HST