UPDATE 11:12 a.m. As of 11 a.m. Tropical Storm Miriam is 1,920 miles east southeast of Hilo, with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph and moving west at 14 mph.
UPDATE: 10:55 a.m.: Hilo Bayfront Highway is now open.
Kamehameha Avenue, from Ponahawai Street to the Ironworks Building remains closed. Bayfront Canoe Landing and Park also remains closed.
Please drive with caution as many roadways still have ponding, debris, and damage.
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Former Hurricane Lane is west of the Hawaiian Islands and has been downgraded to a tropical depression, but the aftermath remains, including a flash flood watch in effect until this evening and numerous road closures, mostly in East Hawaii.
Meanwhile, as Lane weakens and moves away, forecasters have their eye on Tropical Storm Miriam, still in the Eastern Pacific, 2015 miles east-southeast of Hilo as of 5 a.m., moving to the west at 14 mph.
The storm was carrying maximum sustained winds of 45 mph with higher gusts. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles
from the center.
Steady strengthening is forecast during the next the next few days, and Miriam is expected to become a hurricane late Monday or Monday night and to move into the Central Pacific as a hurricane as it takes a northward turn on Wednesday or Thursday.
The forecast from the National Weather Service calls for heavy intermittent showers today and tonight.
Moisture remaining over the islands as Lane departs will bring the potential for additionally heavy rainfall today. Any additional heavy rainfall over these highly saturated grounds could quickly lead to flash flooding.
Heavy rainfall could result in low spots in roads becoming dangerous and impassible due to severe runoff. Debris in streams and gulches may clog bridges and culverts resulting in dangerous flooding and landslides or rock slides in certain areas..
The following major road closures are in effect as of 6:00 a.m. today:
• Highway 11 near the 30 mile marker near Volcano Golf Course, an alternating single-lane closure
• Highway 19 at Kaawalii Gulch between the 28- and 29- mile marker, an alternating single-lane closure
The following secondary road closures are in effect:
• Kamehameha Avenue between Ponahawai Street at Hilo Ironworks Building, including Bayfront Canoe Landing and Park
• Kaiulani Street on Reeds Island in Hilo
• Laupahoehoe Point Road (local traffic only)
• Old Mamalahoa Highway between Papaikou and Pepeekeo, one lane only
• Pauahi Street Bridge in Hilo
• South Point Road from Kamaoa Junction to South Point
• Waipio Valley Road is open to local traffic only.
• All county parks remain closed until further notice.
• The United States Postal Service reports that all post offices except Pepeekeo Post Office will deliver mail today. However, there are no retail services or mail pickup from blue USPS mail boxes. All post offices except for Pepeekeo will be opening their retail lobbies one hour earlier than usual
on Monday, to accommodate expected increased demand.
• The Hawaii State Department of Health is advising the public to stay out of streams, coastal, and standing waters that are contaminated by storm water. Storm water may contain harmful micro-organisms from overflowing cesspools or septic tanks as well as animal waste washed into streams and storm drains.
• To report flood damage to your property, please call 643-5555.
The Tommy Emmanuel concert is scheduled to go on at 7 p.m. tonight at Honokaa People’s theater.
The current map of road closures can be found at: http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/2018-hurricane-map
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaii-tribune-herald
