Updated 3/17/20, 5:30 p.m.
The National Weather Service has cancelled a severe thunderstorm watch for Maui County. Kaua?i and O?ahu were under the same watch earlier today.
A severe thunderstorm watch means conditions are favorable for severe thunderstorms in and around the county. Severe thunderstorms can produce damaging winds of 58 mph or higher and destructive hail, and can occasionally produce tornadoes.
Tornado warnings were issued early Tuesday morning for Kaua?i and Ni?ihau. According to Kaua?i County releases, severe thunderstorms capable of producing a tornado were located southwest of Barking Sands at 1:22 a.m. and near Kaumakani at 5:48 a.m.
According to an NWS official, the thunderstorm that indicated favorable tornado conditions appeared on radar and then dissipated shortly after. He says the conditions around Kaua?i County could have produced a favorable environment for a tornado.
A high surf advisory is in effect for Kaua?i County until 6 p.m. today.
At 7:48 a.m., the Kaua?i Emergency Management Agency reported all west-bound lanes of Kaumuali?i Highway were flooded between mile marker 14 and Pakala. Radar and rain gages showed the most intense rainfall shifted eastward to the Wailua and Kapa?a areas. Officials say the South Fork of Wailua River is running very high and may cause flooding impacts near the river mouth.
This is a developing news story. Please check back for updates.
