The Hawaii Department of Transportation has closed the Kula Highway between mile markers 15 and 15.5 due to thick mud. Photo courtesy Hawaii Department of Transportation

A powerful kona storm continued to batter Maui County on Saturday, causing flooding, road closures, landslides and power outages across the islands.

The National Weather Service in Honolulu warned that severe weather conditions are expected to continue through Sunday.

Maui Fire Department crews conducted floodwater rescues overnight in South Maui, and dozens of people in Hana were cut off by a road washout and later taken to a shelter, according to the county.

Some areas have received more than 20 inches of rain over the past 14 hours, including Kula, while wind gusts reached more than 70 mph in Kaunakakai on Molokai.

More than 100 people were staying in emergency shelters across Maui County as of midday Saturday.

Shelters have been opened at Lanai High and Elementary School gym in Lanai City, Hana High School cafeteria, Maui High School gym in Kahului, Kaunakakai Gym on Molokai, Lahaina Civic Center and the South Maui Community Park gym in Kihei.

The shelters provide cots, food and water. People can bring bedding, along with essential supplies and medications. Pets are permitted if they are in crates. The duration of the shelters will depend on the severity of the weather. Additional sites will open if further needs arise, according to MEMA.

Shelter locations are at:

• Lanai High & Elementary School Gym, 555 Fraser Ave., Lanai City

• Hana High School Cafeteria, 4111 Hana Highway, Hana

• Maui High School Gym, 660 Lono Ave., Kahului

• Kaunakakai Gym, 180 Ala Malama Ave., Kaunakakai, Molokai

• Lahaina Civic Center: 1840 Honoapiilani Highway, Lahaina

• South Maui Community Park Gym: 1501 Liloa Drive, Kihei

Officials warned that roads remain hazardous because of flooding, debris and limited turnaround areas. The public is strongly advised against driving through pooling or moving water. Residents and visitors are being urged to stay off roadways unless travel is essential.

Travel into East Maui along Hana Highway is inaccessible because of multiple blockages, and South Kihei Road and North Kihei Road remain closed in areas due to flooding.

Haleakala National Park’s summit and Kīpahulu districts are closed, according to the National Park Service. The public should treat any traffic light that is out or malfunctioning as a four-way stop.

All county offices, parks and facilities were closed Saturday because of the severe weather, with only essential workers reporting to duty.

Mayor Richard Bissen signed an emergency proclamation earlier this week allowing the county to access state and federal assistance and deploy resources more quickly.

For updates on County of Maui road closures, visit www.mauicounty.gov/roadclosures or download the Genasys Protect app at mauicounty.gov/MEMA.

MEMA is working with local and state partners to continue assessing damage from the storm. Residents and businesses may submit damage reports to MEMA at crisistrack.juvare.com/public/mauiHI/request.html. Damage reports after a severe weather event help assess impacts, prioritize response efforts and access recovery resources.