Avoid Flash Flooding Areas- Ignacio to become a Hurricane by Thursday

Wailuku, Maui – Maui County is advising hikers, campers and other outdoor enthusiasts to avoid any areas where flash-flooding could occur. Recent heavy rains have caused our streams and rivers to run at high capacity and any sort of downpour could make crossing them very dangerous.

The Department of Fire and Public Safety urges hikers to let someone know of their planned hiking location, a time of expected return as well as carry a fully charged cell phone. The department also warns that with the ground saturated from all of the rain, even the shortest downpour may cause flash flooding.

Maui County encourages visitor industry officials to pass this message along to their guests. Please have them watch the Maui County Ocean Safety Video, which has a section on the dangers of flash floods: https://www.mauicounty.gov/oceansafety.

So far the video has already posted on some hotel websites such as the Makena Beach & Golf Resort and the Maui Coast Hotel and the county encourages other properties to do the same: https://www.makenaresortmaui.com/maui-county-ocean-safety-video-2015/ and https://www.mauicoasthotel.com/island-activities/water-safety.htm.

Please keep in mind that we are in the middle of a very active Hurricane Season and already have another storm system on its way. Tropical Storm Ignacio is forecast to strengthen and likely reach hurricane status tomorrow (Thursday) as it moves closer to Hawaii.

Heavy rains caused flash flooding yesterday that forced the closure of several roads and the rescue of 16 people from the Commando Trail and Bamboo Forest areas of East Maui. Rescue crews noted that while the hiking areas were sunny, there were dark clouds up near the mountainside that could not be seen from the trail.

Also, emergency crews want to remind people to hydrate and drink lots of water because of the high humidity. Mahalo and please stay safe.