Tropical Storm Darby continues path over Big Island

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At 5 p.m. Tropical Storm Darby was moving over the southwestern slopes of Mauna Loa, about 25 miles south-southeast of Kailua-Kona and 55 miles west-southwest of Hilo, with maximum sustained winds still at 40 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

At 5 p.m. Tropical Storm Darby was moving over the southwestern slopes of Mauna Loa, about 25 miles south-southeast of Kailua-Kona and 55 miles west-southwest of Hilo, with maximum sustained winds still at 40 mph, according to the National Weather Service.

The storm itself moving west at 10 mph, with tropical storm-force winds extending outward up to 70 miles from Darby’s center.

A tropical storm warning was issued for the entire state at that time, with the forecast for Darby to weaken slightly over the next 48 hours.

A spokesman at Hawaii County Civil Defense’s Hilo headquarters said that there were no reports of damage as of 4:30 p.m.

The Hawaii Red Cross has opened shelters for those in need at the following locations: Hilo High School; Waiakea High School (pet friendly); Keaau High School (pet friendly); Pahoa High and Intermediate School (pet friendly); Mountain View Elementary School; Kalanianaole Elementary School (pet friendly); Laupahoehoe High School; Honokaa High and Intermediate School (pet friendly); Kohala High and Elementary School; Waikoloa Elementary School; Ka‘u High and Elementary School (pet friendly); Konawaena High School (pet friendly); and Kealakehe High School (pet friendly).

These are evacuation shelters and those taking advantage are responsible for their own bedding, food and other supplies, said Yukie Ohashi, the Red Cross Hawaii Island shelter coordinator.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.