HONOLULU — The first storm of the hurricane season to impact Hawaii sent the islands’ residents into hurried preparation mode, but the state got through the weekend without seeing major damage as the storm was downgraded, officials said Monday.
Still, moderate to heavy rain was swamping parts of Oahu, and flooding was expected to persist in areas where drainage was poor, officials said.
Honolulu police urged drivers to stay off roadways and avoid flooding that began late Sunday on the H-1 Freeway and some other major thoroughfares. The freeway was reopened early Monday, but some surface streets remained closed because of mud and debris.
Brown water advisories were issued for Oahu and Big Island coastal water from storm and flood runoff. Not all waters may be affected but officials advise staying out of the water if it’s brown.
More than 3 inches of rain was possible for parts of the islands as Darby moved away from the state, forecasters said.
The National Weather service said Darby had been downgraded from a tropical storm to a tropical depression. Forecasters expect the storm to dissipate by Wednesday.
Darby was about 55 miles west of Kauai early Monday and moving away from the island at about 12 mph with maximum sustained winds at 35 mph and higher gusts.
Shelters and cleanup
Crews had responded to dozens of weather-related incidents, KHON-TV reported, including 59 calls for water evacuation due to flooding. A sewer near the Ala Moana Shopping Center overflowed, spilling more than 1,000 gallons before crews stopped it late Sunday.
The office of Kauai Mayor Bernard P. Carvalho Jr. said no road closures or damage were reported a day after he had signed an emergency proclamation.
Some damage occurred on the Big Island.
A 70-foot vessel with 300 gallons of diesel aboard broke from its mooring and sank Sunday, sending debris onto shore.
The boat’s owner is arranging cleanup.
Popular east Honolulu tourist attraction Hanauma Bay reopened on Monday
The Red Cross says more than 200 people stayed in shelters on Oahu overnight and more stayed in the facilities Friday and Saturday across the islands. The Oahu shelters will remain open until further notice, but evacuation shuttle service was suspended.
