Tropical Storm Darby Moving Toward Kauai; Dumping Heavy Rain In Its Path

July 24,2016
Tropical Storm Darby is now crossing through the Hawaiian Islands after making landfall near Pahala, Hawaii, on the Big Island of Hawaii Saturday afternoon.
Tropical Storm Darby will continue to produce heavy rain across the Big Island and Maui on Sunday. The heavy rain will spread to Oahu and Kauai Sunday night.
The Governor of Hawaii declared the state of Hawaii a disaster area on July 22 ahead of Darby. This emergency proclamation frees up the use of emergency money for use in the state.
Tropical-storm-force wind gusts are still possible at times.
The tropical storm warning that was in effect for the Big Island has been dropped. Tropical storm warnings remain in effect for the rest of the Hawaiian Islands, however.

Darby Alerts

High surf from Darby will increase in Hawaii through Sunday. The Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Oahu are forecast to see increased rainfall and breezy conditions from Darby on Sunday. The worst conditions will spread west throughout the day.
Impacts from Tropical Storm Darby can be found here.
Details on this forecast can be found below.

Darby Status and Forecast Timing

Darby was located about 45 miles west of Honolulu, Hawaii, as of Sunday afternoon Hawaii time.

Sustained winds of 43 mph and a gust to 61 mph were reported at Kohala Ranch on the Big Island. Heavy rain and a wind gust to 45 mph was recorded at Lanai City, Hawaii on Saturday.

A gust to 56 mph was recorded at the Oahu National Wildlife refuge on Saturday night.

Darby generated winds that knocked down trees and power lines and heavy rain that produced localized flooding on the Big Island and on Maui.

There were some road closures and minor property damage on both islands.

Storm Status

Darby is expected to slightly weaken while passing through the islands from southeast to northwest, and is expected to weaken to a tropical depression before reaching Kauai. 

The threat of locaiized flash flooding and landslides will continue into Monday. Bands of heavy rain will move up to Oahu and Kauai by Sunday night.

Projected Path

(MORE: Hurricane Season Outlook | Hurricane Central)

Current radar and winds

Full details are below. 

Darby Forecast Impacts

Rainfall:
Flash flood watches are in effect for Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe and Oahu. Storm total rainfall amounts of 5-10 inches, with isolated amounts up to 15 inches in the higher terrain, are possible into Monday afternoon.
The greatest risk of flooding and mudslides will be on east and northeast facing slopes.

Rainfall Forecast

Some of this rainfall is not a bad thing. Most of the islands are reporting moderate to severe drought on their southward facing shores.

Here are some 24-hour rainfall totals from Darby (as of 1 p.m. HST Sunday) on the Big Island.

Location	Rainfall (Inches)
Saddle Quarry	6.94
Kapapala Ranch	6.39
Pahala	6.14
Keaumo	5.89
Hilo	1.84

Also, West Wailuaiki (Maui) recorded 7.84 inches of rain while 3.41 inches fell at Puu Alii (Molokai). 

Hawaii Department of Civil Defense reported that Highway 11 was closed closed at mile marker 59 near Kawa Flats due to flooding. 

Surf:

Waves may grow to near 20 feet near the center of Darby on Sunday while the storm is south of Hawaii. 

Waves will decrease on Sunday afternoon from east to west. 

Beach erosion is likely through Sunday, especially on northward-facing beaches. 

Winds:

As mentioned before, tropical-storm-force gusts are likely on Sunday in the tropical storm warning area that includes all of the Hawaiian Islands, except for the Big Island. This means winds of 39 mph or greater are likely.

Gusty winds are likely in Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai on Sunday afternoon into Monday morning.

Locations at higher elevations will receive higher winds, possibly gusting to 55 mph on the highest peaks. 

Winds will also be locally higher in channels between islands and in between mountain/volcanic peaks. 

Exact locations of the highest wind and waves will depend on the exact track of Darby and its interaction with the islands. 

Probability of Tropical Storm Force Winds

Check back for updates over the next few days on potential impacts from Darby.

Darby's History

Tropical Storm Darby made landfall as a 40 mph tropical storm on the Big Island near Pahala on July 23 very close to where Iselle made landfall in 2014. 

Darby reached its peak intensity as a Category 3 last Saturday afternoon. According to Dr. Phil Klotzbach, Darby is the fifth consecutive east Pacific use of the name "Darby" that has reached major hurricane status. 

MORE: Images of Hurricane Eyes