UPDATE

• Highway 11 is closed at Whittington Beach Park in Ka’u. The closure extends from Punalu’u to Naalehu. Police say the road is flooded and impassable. “No timetable as to reopening due to heavy rains,” police report.

Cropped National Weather Service Enhanced Radar image shows heavy rain moving over West Hawaii at 9:44 a.m. HST

KONA – West Hawaii is now under a Flash Flood Warning.

The National Weather Service reports that at 9:25 a.m. HST, radar showed intense rainfall moving onshore from Kailua-Kona to Keauhou. “This rainfall will produce flooding along low lying roads such as Alii Drive,” an NWS alert reads, “and flood prone properties. Additional heavy rain may also move over portions of the North and South Kohala districts during the next few hours.” Also, NWS says:

Other locations in the warning include but are not limited to Waikoloa Village… Saddle Road Junction… Kainaliu… Kealakekua… Honaunau… Holualoa… Hawi… The Kohala Mountain Road and Highway 190 from Waimea to Kailua-Kona.

A flash flood warning means flash flooding is imminent or occurring in streams, roads and low lying areas. “Move to higher ground now,” warns the NWS. “Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle or on foot. Turn around… Don’t drown.”

The West Hawaii Explorations Academy is closed today due to weather, reports the Hawaii Department of Education.

The Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 12:30 p.m. HST

The entire Island of Hawaii is under a Flash Flood Watch until 6 p.m. HST this evening.

East Hawaii is under a Flood Advisory.