Canada-France-Hawaii Telescope Cloudcam captures thunder/lightning storm over Hilo December 29-30, 2013 in this time-lapse movie.

By Hawaii 24/7 Staff

UPDATED (12/30/2013 at 11:18 PM)

A Flash Flood Warning for the Big Island has been extended by the National Weather Service until 2 a.m. Tuesday (Dec 31).

The heavy rains and thunderstomrs continue to diminish across the Hamakua Coast, Hilo and Puna areas of the Big Island. Streams remain elevated and ponding is occuring in many areas. Conditions are ripe for more rain and possibly flash floods.

Other locations in the warning area include, but are not limited to, Waipio Valley, Paauilo, Laupahoehoe and Hawaiian Paradise Park.

Police closed Kanoelehua Avenue (Hwy 11) near Waianuhea Place close due to heavy ponding Monday evening with South bound traffic being diverted onto onto East Palai Street and Kilauea Avenue.

Campers and hikers should avoid low lying flood prone areas. People should stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low lying areas prone to flooding. The rainfall and runoff will cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.

Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown.

For links to the latest weather forecasts, reports, radar and satellite imagery visit our Weather Page at hawaii247.com/weather

UPDATED (12/30/2013 at 5:42 PM)

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has upgraded its advisory to a Flash Flood Warning for the Big Island until 8:15 p.m.

At 5:12 p.m. weather radar showed heavy rain falling over Windward slopes with a thunderstorm over Hilo producing rainfall in excell of two inches per hour on saturated ground.

A record rainfall of 5.51 inches was set at Hilo International Airport today. This breaks the old record of 4.58 inches set on December 30, 1951.

Other locations in the warning include, but are not limited to, Waipio Valley, Paauilo, Ookala, Laupahoehoe, Kamuela, Honomu, Honokaa and Hakalau. This warning may be extended past 8:15 p.m. if flash flooding persists.

Campers and hikers should avoid low lying flood prone areas. People should stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low lying areas prone to flooding. The rainfall and runoff will cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.

Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown.

For links to the latest weather forecasts, reports, radar and satellite imagery visit our Weather Page at hawaii247.com/weather

(Dec 30, 2013 at 8:57 a.m.)
Civil Defense audio message

The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a flood advisory for the Big Island until 10:30 a.m.

At 7:30 a.m. weather radar showed heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms moving to the Southeast at 10 mph across the districts of South Hilo and Puna. Rain rates were one to two inches per hour. Moderate showers were persistant along the North Hilo and Hamakua districs where runoff from earlier heavy rainfall remains high.

Other locations in the advisory include, but are not limited to, Papaikou, Paauilo, Ookala, Laupahoehoe, Honomu, Honokaa, Hakalau, Hilo and Pahoa.

This advisory may be extended if the heavy rains persist.

Campers and hikers should avoid low lying flood prone areas. People should stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low lying areas prone to flooding. The rainfall and runoff will cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.

Do not cross fast flowing or rising water in your vehicle or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown.

Mauna Kea summit road is closed above the Visitor Information Station due to  freezing temperatures and light snow.

For updated summit road conditions visit: http://mkwc.ifa.hawaii.edu/current/road-conditions/

For links to the latest weather forecasts, reports, radar and satellite imagery visit our Weather Page at hawaii247.com/weather