UPDATE: Shelters to remain open; county still under flood watch

UPDATED 5 p.m.

Two emergency shelters in Ka‘u will remain open through the evening as active flooding and heavy rains continue to inundate the region.

The shelters are located at the Na‘alehu Community Center and the Robert Herkes Gymnasium in Pahala.

According to the National Weather Service, Hawaii County remains under a flash flood watch, and there is a flash flood warning for Ka‘u, Puna and Hilo.

Additionally, the state Department of Health has issued a brown water advisory for the Hawaii Island.

The public is advised to stay out of flood waters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing from cesspools, sewers and manholes.

The runoff could contain pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris.

PREVIOUSLY

Due to heavy rainfall across the island, Hawaii County and the American Red Cross have opened emergency shelters in Ka‘u after a highway closure in the area.

The two shelters are located at the Na‘alehu Community Center and the Robert Herkes Gymnasium in Pahala and will remain open throughout the day and possibly into the evening, depending on the weather and need.

For the time being, drivers are advised to avoid Highway 11 in Ka‘u between mile-markers 56 and 62 due to flooding on the roadway. The Hawaii Fire Department is responding to an incident in the area where a vehicle was swept off the road into an embankment.

Elsewhere, the Hawaii Belt Road near the Honomu Road junction is reduced to a single land following a landslide. Drivers are advised to expect delays.

A portion of Railroad Avenue in Hilo between Kukila and Lanikaula also is closed.

With the entire county under a National Weather Service flood warning until 1 p.m., and a flood watch until 6 p.m. Saturday, the county advises that more road closures are anticipated in the coming days. The Waipi‘o Valley Access Road remains closed to all except valley residents and farmers.

Meanwhile, two Hawaii Island schools were closed today, according to the state Department of Education.

Ka‘u High and Pahala Elementary and Na‘alehu Elementary will be closed due to an anticipated road closure between the schools.

No other DOE school closures are reported at this time. However, the county Department of Parks and Recreation has cancelled a track meet at Waiakea High School that was to take place Saturday.