Big Island Emerges from Major Winter Storm with Improved Conditions

As of January 31, 2023, the Big Island has overcome a major winter storm, leading to the cancellation of flood watches and advisories. Improvements in weather conditions allowed for the reopening of emergency shelters and resumed public services. However, a brown water advisory remains in effect, cautioning against exposure to contaminated water.

As of January 31, 2023, the Big Island has officially recovered from a significant winter storm that recently affected Hawaii. Although some residual showers remained, the National Weather Service canceled the flood watch that had been active due to the storm’s impact. Previously, Maui County’s flood watch had also been lifted due to improving conditions, leaving only Hawai ʻi County with advisories still in effect.

The winter storm, which resulted in heavy rain, strong winds, and severe thunderstorms, had caused advisories, but these were lifted by mid-afternoon. The summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa that were predicted to receive substantial snowfall also saw a cancellation of their winter storm warnings. Emergency shelters that opened in response to the storm have subsequently closed due to improved conditions.

Though the weather has stabilized, the Hawai ʻi Department of Health issued a brown water advisory for coastal waters. Residents and visitors are urged to avoid floodwaters and stormwater runoff, as they may contain hazardous materials. Public health officials recommend staying clear of contaminated water for specified periods to prevent health risks, particularly infections such as leptospirosis.

Power restoration efforts have been underway, significantly reducing outages across Hawaii. As of 4 p.m. on January 31, only a small number of customers on the Big Island remained without power, primarily in isolated areas. Hawaiian Electric thanked residents for their patience as crews worked diligently to restore electricity affected by downed trees and other storm-related damage.

In coastal regions, the National Weather Service had previously issued marine warnings due to strong, unstable storm systems that raised the risk of waterspouts and hazardous conditions at sea. Authorities continued to advise mariners to take extreme caution and remain vigilant of changing weather patterns to ensure safety at sea.

The article discusses the aftermath of a major winter storm that impacted the Big Island of Hawaii, affecting local weather conditions, public safety, and infrastructure. Despite initial flood warnings and power outages, conditions improved significantly, allowing the cancellation of emergency advisories and the reopening of essential services. This update highlights the collaborative efforts by various agencies to monitor safety and restore utilities following severe weather events in coastal environments.

The Big Island has effectively managed through a significant winter storm, leading to lifted advisories and restored services. While some impacts linger, safety guidelines remain in effect to protect public health. Residents are encouraged to remain cautious regarding water conditions while recovery efforts continue throughout the region.

Original Source: bigislandnow.com