As of 5 p.m. the center of Lane was 280 miles south-southwest of Hilo, 265 miles south of Kailua-Kona and 215 miles south-southwest of South Point.
Lane has weakened slightly, but is still a potent Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 145 miles an hour. It is presently moving to the west-northwest at 8 mph.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Hawaii and Maui counties and the island of Oahu, with a hurricane watch in effect for Kauai County.
Hurricane-force winds continue to extend outward up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.
PREVIOUS:
As of 2 p.m. today, the center of Hurricane Lane was 200 miles south-southwest of Hilo, 285 miles south of Kailua-Kona and 230 miles south-southwest of South Point.
Lane has weakened slightly, but is still a potent Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 150 miles an hour. It is presently moving to the west-northwest at 8 mph.
Hurricane-force winds continue to extend outward up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.
Tropical storm conditions are expected within the hurricane warning area beginning Thursday morning, with hurricane conditions expected somewhere within the warning area on Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are possible within the hurricane watch area beginning Thursday night, with hurricane conditions possible Friday.
Rain bands from Hurricane Lane are gradually spreading over the Big Island. Heavy rainfall associated with Lane is expected to affect portions of the Hawaiian Islands from late today into the weekend.
This could lead to major flash flooding and landslides. Lane is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches with localized amounts in excess of 20 inches over the Hawaiian Islands.
A flash flood watch is in effect for the Big Island.
The county has set up four emergency shelters on the north and west sides of Hawaii Island., at Hookena Elementary School in Captain Cook, Hisaoka Gym at Kamehameha Park in Kapaau, and pet-friendly shelters at Kealakehe High School and Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School
Those relocating to shelters are advised to bring a 3-day supply of medications and pet food, if applicable. Those planning to stay overnight, are asked to bring their personal blankets and pillows if possible. However, the shelter is open to everyone with or without these items.
There are no mandatory evacuations at this time.
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As of 11 a.m. today, the center of Hurricane Lane was about 295 miles south of both Hilo and Kailua-Kona and 235 miles of South Point.
Maximum sustained winds remained at 155 mph.
The National Park Service reported that the Kahuku Unit of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has been closed today and tomorrow and all programs there cancelled because of Lane.
A community talk story event about the future of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park scheduled for Thursday at Kahuku has been rescheduled for Thursday, Aug. 30 at 10 a.m.
All closures, watches and warnings previously published, below, remain in effect.
ORIGINAL:
Hurricane Lane has weakened but only slightly as it continues on an apparent collision course with the islands.
As of 8 a.m. today, the center of the storm was about 315 miles south of both Hilo and Kailua-Kona. The storm, once a Category 5 hurricane, is now packing maximum sustained winds of 155 mph, which makes it a Category 4 storm, a single digit below the Category 5 threshold.
A hurricane warning is in effect for Hawaii County and Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe.
A hurricane watch is in effect for Oahu and Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau.
A flash flood watch is in effect for Hawaii Island.
“We have a 60 to 70 percent chance of tropical-storm-force winds of 39 to 58 miles per hour in Ocean View, Ka‘u (at) around 1 p.m. (Thursday). That’s the estimated arrival,” said Janet Snyder, Mayor Harry Kim’s spokeswoman, following a morning briefing at Hawaii County Civil Defense headquarters in Hilo. “There’s about a 10 to 20 percent chance of high tropical-storm-force winds of 59 to 73 miles an hour.”
“There is a 10 percent chance of hurricane-force winds hitting the Big Island. That’s 74 miles an hour and up,” Snyder said. “And that would be the (west) side.”
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.
Hurricane force winds, which extend up to 40 miles outward from the storm center, can be life-threatening, possibly causing structural damage to even sturdy buildings, and possibly destroying more fragile structures. Wind-borne debris — which can include uprooted trees — can block roadways, sever power and communications networks and cause further damage to structures.
Intense rainfall and thunderstorms likely will continue today and through the rest of the week on the Big Island. Rainfall can trigger flash flooding, even in areas not usually prone to flooding, as well as landslides and mudslides. Total rainfall amounts of more than 20 inches are possible, the National Weather Service said.
Some weakening of the storm is forecast during the next 48 hours, but Lane is forecast to remain a dangerous hurricane as it draws closer to the Hawaiian Islands.
Rain bands from Hurricane Lane will begin moving ashore on the Puna and Ka‘u districts late this morning. Heavy rainfall associated with Lane is expected to affect portions of the Hawaiian Islands from late today into the weekend, would could lead to major flash flooding and landslides.
Lane is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches with localized amounts in excess of 20 inches over the Hawaiian Islands.
Large swells generated by Lane will impact the Hawaiian Islands, beginning this morning on the Big Island, spreading across the remainder of the island chain on today. These swells will produce large and potentially damaging surf along exposed west, south and east facing shorelines.
According to Snyder, Mayor Kim said the county is “checking, re-checking and checking again” the island’s dry wells, which are receptacles for storm runoff, “to make sure that they’re going to do the job, to make sure they’re clear of debris.
“Sandbags are already in place.”
All county beach parks between Punaluu in Ka‘u to Mahukona in North Kohala are closed.
South Point Road from the Kamaoa Road junction to South Point is closed to all through traffic and open to local residents only.
All public schools and the University of Hawaii are closed for the remainder of the week, as are state offices.
County offices remain open today. Mayor Kim, according to Snyder, said he would not jeopardize nonessential county workers’ safety and will consider whether to close offices on Thursday.
So called “essential” state workers, such as those needed for public safety, are required to report for work.
Big Islanders who haven’t done so are advised to get their emergency kit together, which includes two weeks of nonperishable food and water for all persons and pets in a household, plus batteries and other essentials.
Recommended items for a survival kit can be found on the American Red Cross website at www.redcross.org/get-help/how-to-prepare-for-emergencies/survival-kit-supplies.
Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.
