Maui officials on standby to stop heavy rains from sending ash into storm drains

This photo provided by the County of Maui shows a storm ditch and protective barriers in Lahaina, Hawaii, on Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. Maui officials were on standby Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, to prevent ash from August's deadly wildfire in Lahaina from flowing into storm drains after forecasters said a winter storm could bring heavy rain and strong winds to the island. (Mia A'i/County of Maui via AP)

LAHAINA, Hawaii (AP) — Maui officials were on standby Wednesday to prevent ash from August's deadly wildfire in Lahaina from flowing into storm drains after forecasters said a winter storm could bring heavy rain and strong winds to the island.

The ºÃÉ«tv Weather Service said rain falling at a rate of more than 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) per hour could trigger localized flooding over burn scars in Lahaina and in Kula, a mountainous area where wildfires also spread three months ago.

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