Multiple news outlets are reporting that Tropical Rainstorm Olana is bringing dangerous flash flooding, heavy rainfall, and landslide risks to Maui County through Friday, October 29. Maui County faces the highest threat among Hawaiian islands, with active road closures and an emergency evacuation site already opened in Hāna.
- Tropical Rainstorm Olana — a system that previously held tropical storm status — is transporting significant moisture across the Hawaiian Islands, with Maui County facing the heaviest impact (Travelandtourworld)
- The National Weather Service issued a statewide Flood Watch and warns that significant flooding, road closures, property damage in low-lying areas, and landslides on steep terrain are all possible
- An additional 3 to 6 inches of rainfall is forecast for Maui County, on top of the 0.5 to 2 inches already recorded over West Maui in the 12 hours prior to the morning update
- Pi’ilani Highway was closed in both directions at Mile Marker 51 in Hāna due to high water; the closure point sits between Kaihalulu and Koki beach parks in East Maui (Maui Now)
- Uakea Road and Keanini Drive in Hāna town were also closed due to flooding (Maui Now)
- Maui County emergency officials opened a Temporary Evacuation Site at Helene Hall, 174 Keawa Place, Hāna at 9:45 p.m. on October 28; pets are allowed only in crates or cages, and residents must bring their own essentials (Maui Now)
- The flash flood threat is expected to decrease gradually through Friday, with only isolated showers lingering after the watch expires
- A separate northwest swell is possible along Maui shores on Sunday
- Residents can monitor road closures at mauicounty.gov and sign up for alerts through MEMA and Genasys
Sources
- Yahoo: Flash flooding possible for Maui County, Oʻahu: Wednesday Forecast
- Travelandtourworld: Maui Joins Honolulu, O’ahu and More Hawaii Destinations Facing Very Heavy Rainfall, Flash Flooding and Landslides as Tropical Rainstorm Olana Nears: New Travel Alert
- Maui Now: Temporary Evacuation Site opened in Hāna amid increased rainfall, flooding; multiple road closures due to high water
- KHON2: Flash flooding possible for Maui County, Oʻahu
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