Flooding and storms caused by continued heavy rain have caused several school closures on Kauai. The rising water level of the Hanalei River on Kauai forced the closure of Hanalei Elementary School this morning, according to the Department of Education.
William Arakaki, superintendent of the Kauai DOE complex, said the 226 students at Hanalei Elementary School was released at 9 a.m. Also released this morning were students who attend Kapaa Middle and Kapaa High Schools who live across Hanalei River in Hanalei and Haena.
“The Hanalei Bridge is still open right now,” Arakaki said, “but the river can rise very quickly.” Hanalei Elementary School is expected to reopen for classes on Wednesday, Arakaki said.
The National Weather Service says strong thunderstorms with gusty winds are expected to continue on Kauai and Niihau today. While the above schools plan on opening back up on Wednesday, I am sure all the school superintendents will re-evaluate the situation as is continues to unfold.
Overnight, Kauai Island Utility Cooperative reported several weather related power outages caused by trees downing power lines. This seems to be happening on all the islands right now. However, there was a big power outage on east Oahu this morning that is yet to be explained.
At 9:30 this morning a few customers in Hanamaulu and Kokee were reported without electricity because of the heavy winds.
Forecasters predict isolated thunderstorms with locally strong wind gusts over 40 miles per hour as a fast-moving storm moves through the island. Lightning is also possible, forecasters said and Oahu could also get some rain.
As of 8 a.m. this morning, 5.4 inches of rain fell on Mt. Waialeale over a 24-hour period. More is expected to come, so if you are on Kauai be safe and take all precautions necessary.
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