US: Hurricane Lane threatens direct hit on Hawaii August 23-24 /update 3

Event

As of Tuesday, August 21, Hurricane Lane is threatening to turn to the northwest and directly hit the state of Hawaii on Thursday, August 23, to Friday, August 24. Lane was a Category 4 hurricane (Saffir-Simpson scale; maximum sustained winds of 209-251 km/h [130-156 mph]) as of 08:00 (local time) on Tuesday, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, and was located at approximately 14.1°N, 152.6°W and was packing maximum sustained winds of 250 km/h (155 mph); the storm was moving westward at about 14 km/h (9 mph). Hurricane watches are in effect for Maui county (including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Moloka'i, and Kaho'olawe) and Hawai'i county.

Hurricane Lane is forecast to weaken over the coming days to a Category 2 (maximum sustained winds of 154-177 km/h [96-110 mph]) or Category 3 (maximum sustained winds of 178-208 km/h [111-129 mph]) hurricane before impacting the Hawaiian Islands. The storm is also forecast to bring heavy rainfall of 25-38 cm (10-15 in), with locally higher totals of up to 50 cm (20 in), and heavy surf to the islands. Consequent flooding and associated transportation disruptions (including flight delays and cancelations) and power outages are expected in the coming days.

Context

Lane formed as a tropical depression on August 14 and quickly strengthened to a hurricane on August 16. Hurricanes and tropical cyclones are common in the eastern and central Pacific from May through November.

Advice

Individuals present or traveling to Hawaii are advised to keep abreast of weather alerts, adhere to any advice issued by local authorities, confirm flight reservations, and refrain from beach or ocean activities; hurricanes can produce dangerous waves and deadly rip currents even at large distances from the storm. In the event of flooding, remember that driving and walking through running water can be dangerous - 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult.