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High Surf Expected For Most Islands, Forecasters Advise Caution

Last Map Update: Tues, Nov. 20, 2019 at 6:08:05 a.m. HST. Purple = small craft advisory; dark purple = high surf advisory.

Updated: Nov. 20, 6:25 a.m.

A high surf and small craft advisories have been posted by the National Weather Service for most major islands starting at 2 p.m. Wednesday through at least Thursday. 

High surf possibly up to 22 feet by Wednesday night and Thursday is expected for north shores of Oahu, Maui and Molokai and for north and west shores of Kauai and Niihau.

Waves as high as 14 feet are projected by Wednesday night and Thursday along west-facing shores of Oahu and Molokai.

Residents and visitors should take precautions along the affected shorelines. Forecasters say "when in doubt, don't go out."

A flash flood watch that had covered the entire state was removed overnight after an upper level low that had brought heavy rains to portions of several islands moved off.

Over the weekend, a Kauai woman was swept out to sea by a flash flood, officials said. The 49-year-old woman and two others were attempting to evacuate a Kauai home along the Wainiha River when their boat flipped in the rushing water early Sunday, Associated Press reported.

A man and child reached safety, but the woman was swept away, authorities said. She was found downstream on a shoreline below a cliff, emergency personnel said. The woman was being treated, based on media reports.

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