Update at 7:20 a.m. Jan. 2: Isolated coastal flooding is expected to continue through late Saturday night.

According to the National Weather Service in Honolulu, the flooding is a result of peak monthly high tides combined with water levels running higher than predicted. Minor flooding may occur along the shoreline and in low-lying coastal areas. 

Minor coastal flooding is most likely to occur around the daily peak high tides, which typically happen in the early morning hours.

Update at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 31: Peak monthly high tides combined with high water levels will lead to minor flooding along the shoreline and in low-lying coastal areas of the west, south, and east-facing shores of Hawaiʻi Island.

The National Weather Service has issued a coastal flood statement for vulnerable low-lying coastal roadways, docks, boat ramps, and other coastal infrastructure of all islands through Friday night.

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Coastal flooding is most likely around the daily peak high tides, which will occur a couple hours after midnight, and could cause flooding of beaches that are normally dry with minor coastal erosion and saltwater inundation.

Take precautions by avoiding driving through flooded roadways, if driving through salt water is unavoidable, rinse the vehicle with fresh water. Move electronics, vehicles or other valuables to higher ground.

Monitor vessels to ensure mooring lines don’t get too tight and watch out for overwash around boat ramps. Secure canoes or other watercraft stowed on beaches.

The University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program’s Hawaii and Pacific Islands King Tides Project is collecting coastal flooding photos. For those interested in sharing, send the photos to pacificislandskingtides.org.

Waves crash on the Hilo breakwater. (Photo File: Kelsey Walling)

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Original at 6:16 a.m. Dec. 31: Overlapping, medium-period northwest and north-northwest swells will maintain advisory-level surf, with little change through this evening (Dec. 31).

As a result, forecasters at the National Weather Service office in Honolulu issued a high surf advisory until 6 p.m. today for north-facing shores of the Big Island.

Large breaking waves of 10 to 15 feet are expected along northern shorelines, causing moderate impacts.

Strong breaking waves and strong currents also will make swimming dangerous.

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The public is advised to heed all advice from ocean safety officials — when in doubt, don’t go out.

Surf is expected to decline through Friday.