Big Island Overcomes Major Winter Storm, Advisories Lifted as Conditions Improve

The Big Island has weathered a major winter storm that led to improved conditions by January 31. The National Weather Service canceled flood watches and lifted winter storm warnings as lingering rain showed no significant risk. Emergency shelters have closed, schools in South Kona remain shuttered due to flooding, and power restoration efforts are ongoing. Health advisories regarding water safety were issued due to possible contaminants following the storm.

As of January 31, the Big Island has officially concluded the weathering of a major winter storm. Lingering showers were present throughout the day but flooding concerns have diminished, leading the National Weather Service in Honolulu to rescind the flood watch initially imposed for the region. Previously, only Hawaiʻi County remained under the alert after conditions on Maui improved earlier.

The winter storm, characterized by heavy rain, high winds, and severe thunderstorms, has largely subsided. A high wind warning for the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa remains in effect; however, previous winter storm warnings have been lifted. Local officials note that emergency shelters opened during the storm have now closed due to improved conditions.

Hawaiʻi County Civil Defense reported a full recovery of services, with all emergency shelters closing by noon on January 31. Public schools in South Kona, however, remain closed due to significant flooding impacting accessibility to various campuses. The schools affected include Ho‘okena Elementary and Konawaena Schools.

Despite the improving weather, residents are urged to heed health advisories regarding water safety. The Hawaiʻi Department of Health has issued a brown water advisory for the entire island due to potential contaminants resulting from the storm’s runoff. Residents are cautioned to stay out of affected waters for safety and health reasons.

Power restoration efforts have progressed, reducing outages significantly across O‘ahu, Maui, and Hawai‘i counties by early afternoon. Fewer than 200 customers still experienced power outages on the Big Island as crews continued to address damages caused by the storm, particularly in the Puna region. In the meantime, local bus services have resumed operations after earlier suspensions due to adverse weather conditions.

As the storm subsides, new marine warnings were issued as late as 10:30 a.m. on January 31, emphasizing precautions against possible waterspouts and sustained adverse weather conditions in coastal waters. Residents and seafarers have been urged to recognize and react appropriately to the hazardous conditions as thunderstorms continue to impact local areas.

The recent winter storm that affected the Hawaiian Islands has been characterized by heavy rainfall, high winds, and strong thunderstorms leading to concerns of flooding and power outages. Hawai‘i County was notably the last to maintain flood alerts, and local official responses included opening emergency shelters and advising on safety precautions related to potential water contamination. This situation required comprehensive monitoring by the National Weather Service and other local agencies to ensure public safety.

In conclusion, the Big Island has successfully navigated the recent winter storm, with decreasing weather warnings and the reopening of services. Local authorities have managed the aftermath effectively by addressing power outages and ensuring that residents remain informed about health safety concerning water quality. While the immediate threat has passed, caution remains necessary as advisories for contaminated waters persist. Authorities continue to recommend vigilance among local communities as cleanup efforts progress.

Original Source: bigislandnow.com