Big Island Recovers From Major Winter Storm: Power Restored, Cautions Remain
The Big Island has officially recovered from a major winter storm, with all flood watches canceled. The Hawaiian Electric Company is progressing in restoring power outages that affected thousands. Authorities have issued a brown water advisory due to stormwater runoff. Emergency shelters have closed as conditions improve, but caution is advised regarding water safety.
The Big Island of Hawaii has officially recovered from a significant winter storm that affected the region in recent days. While some light rain persisted into late afternoon, the National Weather Service announced that they were no longer expecting flooding, leading to the cancellation of the flood watch that had been active. Hawaiʻi County was the only area in the state still under a flood watch; Maui County had already seen its alert lifted by 6 a.m. on that same day.
As the storm systems moved away, nearly all other weather warnings were also lifted, except for a high wind warning applicable to the Big Island summits. These areas, Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa, had anticipated receiving up to two feet of snow but were also seeing a decline in severe weather conditions by the afternoon. Emergency shelters opened earlier in the week were subsequently closed, as conditions improved.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Education reported school closures due to significant flooding in South Kona. Institutions affected included Ho‘okena Elementary and Konawaena High. Despite the improved forecast, a brown water advisory was issued statewide due to stormwater runoff, and the public was urged to avoid such waters due to potential contamination. Staying out of floodwaters is crucial to prevent exposure to harmful bacteria and pathogens.
Power restoration was ongoing, with Hawaiian Electric Company reporting a decrease in outages following the storm. Earlier, approximately 39,500 customers faced disruptions, which dropped significantly to just around 10,800 later in the day. Crews continue to work on restoring power across the Big Island, where around 1,800 customers remained without service late in the afternoon.
Reports issued by the National Weather Service indicated that severe thunderstorms impacted much of the Big Island, generating hazards such as high winds, thunderstorms capable of producing waterspouts, and the potential for significant local impacts on marine activities. Vessel operators are advised to seek safe harbor immediately when confronted with such conditions.
Severe weather conditions recently swept across the Big Island due to an intense winter storm, prompting a series of alerts and warnings from the National Weather Service. This storm led to heavy rain, powerful winds, and hazardous ocean conditions characterized by thunderstorms near the shore. Such winter weather can lead to serious safety concerns for residents and visitors alike, including flooding, power outages, and potential health risks associated with contaminated water. Authorities activated emergency responses to mitigate the impacts of the storm, ensuring public safety and maintaining essential services.
In summary, while the Big Island has endured a major winter storm, conditions have significantly improved with the cancellation of flood watches and weather warnings. However, precautions remain necessary regarding water safety due to possible contamination. Emergency services have lifted closures of shelters, and efforts are underway to restore power to all affected customers quickly despite remaining outages. Thus, vigilance from local residents regarding water conditions and health advisories is paramount as the situation stabilizes.
Original Source: bigislandnow.com
