While the potential for flash flooding remains, it's beginning to look like the rain falling over much of the state will have more of a beneficial than harmful effect, a National Weather Service official said.

Kevin Kodama, a hydrologist with the NWS Honolulu Forecast Office, said the steady but relatively light rain will have a greater chance of soaking into the ground in drought-stricken areas across the state.

"The rain won't be a drought-buster in and of itself, but it is certainly a step toward bringing some much-needed drought relief," Kodama said.

Later in the day on Friday, weather officials became concerned that a low-pressure area north of Kaua'i might destabilize the atmosphere, leading to sudden downpours and flash floods.

So far, the flash floods have not materialized, although some parts of Kaua'i were hit with up to 4 inches of rain in a 24-hour period.

While the rain has been lighter than expected, the flood watch will continue until 4 a.m. tomorrow, Kodama said.

Most of O'ahu had received 2 to 3 inches of rain in the preceding 24-hour period, said Tom Birchard, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service, said this afternoon.

Birchard said windward O'ahu received the most rainfall — as much as 5 inches over the preceding 24 hours.