(BIVN) – The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a Flood Advisory for an area of Kona on Hawaiʻi Island, in effect until 9:15 p.m. HST.

At 6:14 p.m. HST, radar indicated heavy rain just upslope from Kailua-Kona, forecasters said. “Rain was falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour,” the weather alert stated. “Minor flooding of poor drainage areas can be expected.”

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to Kailua-Kona, Kalaoa, Kahaluʻu-Keauhou, Puʻuanahulu, Holualoa and Kona International Airport.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense issued an alert message at 7:30 p.m., which said that “due to the Flood Advisory, the following are issued”:

• Residents in flood prone areas are asked to remain alert for flooding conditions.
• Be aware that road closures may occur without notice.
• Do not attempt to cross flowing water; turn around don’t drown.
• Be on the alert for malfunctioning traffic signals. Please treat flashing traffic lights as a four-way stop.
• Remember, if lightning threatens your area, the safest place to be is indoors.

Within the area of the Flood Advisory, approximately 2,500 athletes are preparing to compete in this year’s Vega IRONMAN World Championship, which starts at 6:25 a.m. on Saturday morning. Athletes will begin to go through body marking as early as 4:25 a.m.

Forecasters say the threat of heavy rain will end tonight as the atmosphere stabilizes and becomes drier.