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Post by mandyblue on Aug 5, 2014 23:55:54 GMT -5
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Post by mandyblue on Aug 7, 2014 0:40:10 GMT -5
From Star Advertiser
Hurricane Iselle strengthened slightly and is now projected to be a hurricane when it approaches the Big Island Thursday.
Hawaii island is under a hurricane warning; Maui County and Oahu are under a tropical storm warning; a tropical storm watch has been issued for Kauai and Niihau; and the entire state is covered by a flash flood watch as two hurricanes east of Hilo Wednesday pack a potential one-two punch of heavy rain, high surf and powerful winds.
The hurricane warning is in effect for the Big Island and surrounding coastal waters.
Iselle has winds of 90 mph, up from 85 mph at 5 a.m. It is expected to drop 5 to 8 inches of rain, with some areas getting up to a foot of rain, which could cause flash flooding and mud slides.
"There appears to be less of a window for Iselle to weaken significantly before reaching the islands," forecasters said.
"A clearly defined eye feature has redeveloped," forecasters said as weak wind shear allowed the storm to intensify.
Forecasters said Hawaii island will see waves from Iselle and rain ahead of the storm Wednesday night. Seas up to 21 feet and winds up to 57 mph are expected Wednesday night.
Tropical Storm force winds of 50 to 60 mph, with gusts up to 90 mph are possible in in Hilo and on the Hamakua Coast Thursday night.
The tropical storm strength winds should die down by Friday morning, but the rains could continue through Monday.
"It is important to note that regardless of whether Iselle reaches the Big Island as a tropical storm or minimal hurricane, the impacts will still be very similar," forecasters said.
Forecasters said those under a hurricane and tropical storm warning should rapidly complete preparations to protect life and property. A warning is issued when a hazardous weather event is occurring, imminent or likely.
The flash flood watch begins at 4 a.m. Thursday and lasts until 6 a.m. Saturday. The tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are likely within the next 48 hours.
Hurricane Iselle was about 515 miles east-southeast of Hilo at 5 p.m. Wednesday, moving west-northwest at 18 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph and stronger gusts. Hurricane force winds extend up to 45 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend up to 140 miles.
"The tracks of Iselle and Julio are definitely a call to prepare," state Emergency Management Administrator Doug Mayne said Tuesday. "Our goal isn't to scare anyone, but we want to make sure Hawaii's citizens and visitors have what they need to stay safe and healthy. People should have their emergency plans and seven-day kits in place and consider preparing their homes and businesses for high winds and flooding."
Stores throughout the state reported long lines as shoppers heeded the advice and bought out supplies of drinking water, toilet paper, flashlights and batteries.
Another storm, Julio, grew into a category 1 hurricane late Tuesday and is following a similar path as Iselle. But forecasters expect it to weaken and become a tropical storm when it nears Hawaii Sunday.
At 5 p.m., Julio was 1,455 miles east of Hilo, moving west-northwest at 16 mph. Maxium sustained winds strengthened to 85 mph.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie signed an emergency proclamation ahead of the storms, which allows for easier access to emergency resources at state and federal levels and activates the major Disaster Fund for disaster relief.
The current track has the center of Iselle moving over Hawaii island during the day Thursday. Interior sections of the Big Island, including Bradshaw Field and Saddle Road could see 50 to 55 mph winds with gusts up to 95 mph after midnight Thursday.
The storm will weaken after it passes over the Big Island and hits the summits of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa.
Winds on Maui are forecast to be 25 to 35 mph with gusts to 45 mph on windward slopes of Haleakala. Maui could also start seeing rains starting late Wednesday night with tropical storm conditions possible Thursday.
Rains on Oahu should begin on Thursday with tropical storm conditions possible Thursday night. Winds of 20 to 25 mph with 40 mph gusts are forecast for Honolulu and south shores of Oahu with heavy showers possible through Friday night.
Forecasters caution that wind and rain projections are only estimates.
"It is vital that you do not focus on the exact forecast track," forecasters said. "Even small errors in the forecast track can mean major differences in where the worst conditions will occur. Damaging effects can extend far from the center.
"With some uncertainty in the exact track and strength of Iselle, it is still too early to determine which islands are at most risk from iselle. However, the Big Isand and Maui County will be the first areas to experience the impacts of Iselle."
Meanwhile, to the west of Hawaii, Genevieve strengthened into a hurricane. The storm was about 970 miles east-southeast of Wake Island at 5 p.m. and is not a threat to move back over Hawaii. The storm was moving northwest at 16 mph.
Maximum sustained winds are at 135 mph and Genevieve is expected to intensify and maintain typhoon status over the next 24 hours.
Hawaii has been directly hit by hurricanes only three times since 1950, though the region has had 147 tropical cyclones over that time. The last time Hawaii was hit with a tropical storm or hurricane was in 1992, when Hurricane Iniki killed six people and destroyed more than 1,400 homes in Kauai, Lau said.
"We've been lucky so far. So we just need to really take this threat seriously and make sure everybody is prepared," he said.
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Post by mandyblue on Aug 7, 2014 11:07:53 GMT -5
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Post by davilarose on Aug 7, 2014 17:39:39 GMT -5
Hope they have all their hatches battened and stay safe!
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Post by mandyblue on Aug 8, 2014 11:15:50 GMT -5
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