Forecasters Extend Flash Flood WatchOfficials Open Shelters For ResidentsPOSTED: 4:17 pm HST March 2,
2006 HAUULA, Hawaii -- Forecasters at the National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for Kauai, Oahu and Niihau on Friday.Oahu was downgraded from a flash flood warning. However, forecasters said there is a threat of more rain southwest of Oahu that could go ashore. The grounds are already saturated with rains from the past few days.Mudslides, rushing water and other problems kept crews busy and Kamehameha Highway closed in several spots throughout day and night on Thursday.Forecasters have kept Oahu under a flash flood warning until 12:30 p.m. Friday. The National Weather Service also placed Kauai under a flash flood watch.Early Friday morning, a waterfall pounded Pali Highway on the Kailua-bound side after the second tunnel.Authorities closed the Pali Highway on the Kailua-bound side is closed by Waokanaka Street because of that waterfall. Drivers were forced to use alternate routes such as Likelike Highway or the H-3 Freeway.The Red Cross opened an evacuation shelter in Hauula Thursday afternoon at the Hauula Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The address there is 54-208 Hauula Homestead Road. Another shelter opened at the Brigham Young University Hawaii campus in Laie.Officials suggest taking extra clothes, bedding, food and water, and any medications needed.Pets are not allowed. The shelter will be open indefinitely.The heavy rain shut down several schools on Thursday. Those schools will remain closed on Friday, Department of Education officials said.Schools Closed Friday: Copyright 2006 by TheHawaiiChannel.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. |









