HAWAII ISLAND – The Big Island of Hawaii is under a Flash Flood Watch through this evening.

The National Weather Service says deep tropical moisture and an unstable atmosphere will continue to produce heavy downpours and a chance of thunderstorms over Hawaii Island today.

Forecasters say flooding risks are elevated since the ground already saturated in many areas from heavy rains during the past couple of days.

Last night, heavy rain and thunderstorms persisted in Hilo and Puna. Parts of East Hawaii were under a Flood Advisory, off and on, throughout the evening.

Early this morning, Hawaii County Police reported Saddle Road was hard hit at the construction area at the 10-11 mile marker. There was “debris and potholes due to heavy rain”, and police urged motorists to use caution or avoid the area.