HILO, Hawai'i — Two lightning strikes on power transmission lines in Puna cut power to 40,000 customers across the Big Island yesterday morning, but service to most homes and businesses was restored in less than a half hour, according to Hawai'i Electric Light Co.

Helco spokesman Jay Ignacio said the lightning strikes hit lines in the Hawaiian Beaches subdivision at 8:22 a.m. That caused power generating units at Puna Geothermal Venture and at Kea'au, Hilo and Keahole in Kona to trip off line, cutting power to customers from Kona to Hilo, and from North Kohala to Ka'u.

Most of the generators were back on line by 8:55 a.m., but about 1,500 Helco customers in Hawaiian Beaches and Hawaiian Shores remained without power until 3:21 p.m., when repairs were completed.

Nearly four inches of rain fell on Honoka'a in the 24 hours ending at 2 p.m. yesterday, and 2.85 inches fell on Pi'ihonua near Hilo.

However, acting Civil Defense Director Lanny Nakano said there were no reports on the Big Island of flood damage, and no road closures.

A flash flood watch was in effect until 8 p.m. yesterday for the entire Big Island.