HAWAII ISLAND – The Flash Flood Warning has expired for Hawaii Island but the Flash Flood Watch remains in effect. Also, a Flood Advisory persists for much of the island.

Highway 11 in Ka’u is now open to one lane of traffic flow at this time. The highway had been closed between Punalu’u and Na’alehu due to heavy runoff and flooding. “Motorists are advised to avoid the area and to use alternate routes if possible as conditions could change and result in the highway being closed again,” reports Hawaii County Civil Defense. “All other major highways and roadways are opened at this time however motorists are advised to drive carefully and to be prepared for hazardous conditions to include ponding and runoff, and to anticipate traffic delays.”

Heavy rain continues. At 1:49 p.m. HST, the National Weather Service reports “moderate to heavy rainfall has been occurring over portions of the Big Island southeast of a line from Laupahoehoe to Kona airport. The highest rain rates were about an in inch per hour near Hawaiian Acres in Puna, and over the South Kona slopes.”

The existing flood advisory includes but is not limited to Hilo, Keaau, Pahoa, Pahala, Naalehu, Kainaliu, Kealakekua and Honaunau.

Civil Defense says in consideration of the hazardous road conditions, the joint Puna Council public meeting scheduled for tonight at the Mt. View School has been cancelled.

Tim Bryan captures the roadblock set up on Highway 11 near Punalu’u, when the road was closed due to flooding. The road is now open one lane.