A tropical storm watch has been issued for Hawaii County.
As of 11 a.m., Hurricane Hector was about 850 miles east-southeast of Hilo. The Category 4 hurricane continues to strengthen, packing maximum sustained winds of 155 miles an hour with higher gusts. The storm is moving westward at 16 mph.
A tropical storm watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area within 48 hours. Tropical storm force winds of between 39 and 73 mph are possible across the Big island on Wednesday.
Hector is forecast to pass south of South Point on Wednesday morning.
Swells generated by Hector are expected to reach southeast and east facing shores of the Big Island and eastern Maui during the next day, likely becoming large by late Tuesday and Wednesday. Those swells will be exacerbated by very large high tides known informally as “king tides.”
Hector was described by National Weather Service meteorologist Deanna Marks as a “compact but powerful” storm.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.
Some weakening of Hector is forecast during the next 48 hours.
The following public safety measures and recommendations are now in effect:
• Secure large objects in your yard and prepare your house for strong winds.
• Secure all boats and aircraft.
• There are no evacuations at this time.
All roads are currently open. Whittington, Punaluu, and Milolii beach parks in Ka‘u will be closed after tonight. All pavilion and camping permits for Tuesday through Friday are cancelled.
A lava emergency meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday at Pahoa High School gym has been canceled as the county is concentrating on response to possible effects from Hector.
Residents and visitors are advised to have an emergency survival kit ready in case the storm causes road closures and power outages.
The recommended items for a survival kit can be found on the American Red Cross website at http://www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
