UPDATE: East Maui shelter at Hana High School Cafeteria, 4111 Hāna Highway, closed at 5:30 p.m. because of the Hawaii Department of Education’s decision to reopen the school on Thursday, April 9. There were no shelter attendees at that time.

With Maui County under a flood watch, Maui Emergency Management Agency, other county departments and agencies, and the American Red Cross will proactively open shelters across Maui at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 8.

Shelter locations are:

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

• CENTRAL MAUI: Velma McWayne Santos Community Center, 395 Waena St., Wailuku

Shelters will provide cots at select locations as well as food and water. Individuals with dietary needs should bring required food.

People seeking shelter should bring bedding, essential supplies and any necessary medications.

Pets are allowed only if they are in crates, cages or on leashes. The length of shelter operations will depend on the severity of the weather.

The Maui County Department of Transportation, in partnership with Maui Economic Opportunity Transportation, will allow same-day reservations for eligible paratransit riders to get to a shelter in Kihei, at the South Maui Community Park Gym or in Central Maui, at the Velma McWayne Santos Community Center. It is better to shelter in place for those who have a safe place to stay, but those who don’t can get a same-day ride to the nearest shelter. For more information or reservations, call MEO Transportation at (808) 877-7651.

Maui County and other Hawaiian Islands remain under a National Weather Service flood watch through Friday afternoon.

Severe weather is expected as a low-pressure system developing west of the islands is bringing the potential for heavy rain, thunderstorms and flash flooding around the state. With the ground saturated from recent kona low storms, potential flash flooding, rapid runoff and landslide threats increase, even with less rain.

For the latest information, visit NWS in Honolulu at www.weather.gov/hfo/ and subscribe to Genasys Protect and MEMA alerts at www.mauicounty.gov/MEMA.