NWS issues Special Weather Statement for Maui County; flood mitigation efforts deployed for unpredic

County of Maui officials are reminding the public to be proactive and alert as a kona low, an unpredictable weather system, impacts the County of Maui.

County's Maui Emergency Management Agency advanced to partial activation at the start of the National Weather Service's Flood Watch, which went into effect for Maui County this morning, Nov. 29, 2023, and continues through Thursday afternoon. The flood watch means that flooding conditions are possible; a warning means that weather conditions are happening or are about to happen.

Just before noon, the National Weather Service in Honolulu issued a Special Weather Statement for Maui County, saying periods of heavy rain or isolated thunderstorms may impact Maui, Moloka'i and Kaho'olawe through early afternoon today.

It added that "periods of rain exceeding one inch per hour could exacerbate localized flooding over recent burn scars in West Maui and on the western slope of Haleakala. Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects."

First impacting Kaua'i, Ni'ihau and O'ahu, the kona low weather system poses a unique threat to Maui, which suffered devastating fires in August that left ash and debris in Lahaina and in Upcountry.

The County of Maui, along with state and federal partners, are continuing to prepare fire-damaged areas should flooding occur.

Mitigation efforts include:

• Department of Public Works deployed 40 pallets of straw wattles in Lahaina burn zone. Twenty-five staff members are on standby to monitor best management practices. The BMPs help prevent ash from mobilizing to the storm drain system.
• To date, Department of Public Works has cleared 90% of debris from streets in the Lahaina burn zone.
• In anticipation of the storm, state Department of Transportation on Front Street set up 8,000 feet of a pollutant filter system called Enviroxx.
• The Disaster Recover Center at Lahaina Civic Center is open but officials continue to monitor weather to determine if closure is warranted. Disaster Recovery Center at University of Hawaii Maui College closed today, Nov. 29. Both centers will reevaluate conditions Thursday to determine hours.
• Earlier this week, county staff were inspecting and clearing culverts in South Maui and in Upcountry where flooding is known to occur. Flood mitigation equipment will be staged if and when flooding begins.
• Employees on Moloka'i and Lana'i have been preparing their districts.

The public is encouraged to stay informed through credible sources such as the National Weather Service, the Hawai'i Emergency Management Agency and the Maui Emergency Management Agency.Sign up for Maui Police Department Road Closure notifications at bit.ly/MauiRoadClosure.
The public is also urged to take the necessary steps to be prepared, including having an emergency kit with essential items.
For more information on emergency preparedness and to sign up for alerts from MEMA, visit www.mauicounty.gov/MEMA.

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County of Maui photos

Department of Public Works is preparing for coming rains by adding protective measures and best management practices to prevent ash from mobilizing to the storm drain system and impacting the ocean.

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