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- NOAA
Hurricane and Pacific Ocean weather link - Hurricanes in Hawaii
Here are answers to some commonly asked questions regarding HURRICANES IN HAWAII:
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Hawaii residents are stocking up on hand crank flashlights, propane and drinking water and pet carriers as Hurricane Flossie, the first major storm of the 2007 Hurricane season moves toward Hawaii.
Hurricane Flossie registers winds of 140 mph, and expected to retain much of its strength by the time it passes south off the islands this week.
Generally the islands, along the are protected from the hurricanes that regularly slam Guam, and more tropical islands as the cooler water around Hawaii weakens the storms as they approach Hawaii. However, Flossie is rated Category 3 hurricane, with sustained wind of at least 111 mph, epected to pass the islands late Tuesday and Wednesday
"The intensity has remained stronger than what was originally forecast, but the track has been pretty much right on," said Jim Weyman, the weather service's meteorologist in charge in Honolulu.
Big Island Mayor Kim declared the Big Island a National Emergency and told the counties 150,000 residents and especially those along the Southern facing shores to "prepare for the worst, and hope for the best". Emergency workers spent Sunday afternoon preparing for the potentially devastating hurricane which includes flash flood watch.
The National Weather Service placed the Big Island under a hurricane watch, meaning hurricane conditions were possible within 36 hours. A flash flood watch was also issued for the island through Wednesday, with possible flash flooding in areas.
At 11 a.m. EDT, Flossie was about 495 miles southeast of Hilo, with maximum sustained wind near 140 mph, up from 135 mph earlier in the day, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said. It was moving west-northwest at about 15 mph.
Meteorologists cautioned that even a slight change of course in the unpredictable storm could take it closer to land.
The eye of hurricane Iniki passed dirctly over Kauai in 1992, causing massive damage. Even though the eye of the storm may miss the Hawaiian Islands, Flossie could still bring strong wind and heavy rain, forecasters said. Some areas can expect tropical storm-level winds and at least 10 to 15 inches of rain.
The south shore could see also see waves of 10 to 15 feet, forecasters said, with the surf rising starting late Monday. Waves along the east facing shores could increase to 8 to 12 feet on Tuesday.
Hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. In May, forecasters said the Hawaiian Islands and the rest of the central Pacific faced a slightly below-average hurricane season, with just two or three tropical cyclones expected because of lower sea surface temperatures.
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