22 Aug 2018 | 05:01 PM UTC
US: Hurricane warnings issued August 22 for Category 4 Lane /update 5
Hurricane Lane reclassified to Category 4 August 22; US National Weather Service issues hurricane warnings for the Big Island of Hawai’i, Maui, Lanai, Moloka'i, and Kaho'olawe
Event
An advisory issued by the US National Weather Service (NWS) at 05:00 (local time) on Wednesday, August 22, indicated that Hurricane Lane was a Category 4 storm, after having briefly been classified as Category 5 on the evening of Tuesday, August 21. The storm is located 505 km (315 mi) south-southeast of Kona and moving west-northwest at 15 km/h (9 mph) and is expected to shift to a more northerly path on Wednesday, August 22, and Thursday, August 23. It is producing maximum sustained winds of 250 km/h (155 mph) with hurricane force winds (120 km/h; 75 mph) extending 65 km (40 mi) from the eye. Lane is forecast to weaken slowly as it moves north into colder waters but is expected to remain a powerful and dangerous storm when it reaches Hawaii.
As of 05:00 on August 22, hurricane warnings had been issued for the Big Island of Hawai'i, as well as for Maui, Lanai, Moloka'i, and Kaho'olawe islands. The NWS had also issued hurricane watches for Oahu and Kauai. Tropical storm-force winds are expected on the Big Island as soon as Wednesday evening with hurricane-force winds beginning late on Thursday. The center of the storm is expected to pass near the main Hawaiian Islands from Thursday to Saturday, August 25.
Rainfall of more than 50 cm (20 in) and storm surges of 4.5-7.6 m (15-25 ft) are possible and could result in major flooding and mudslides. Strong winds may result in structural damage and cause power and communication outages. Strong surf will likely produce dangerous waves and rip currents along south- and southeast-facing shores. Consequent transportation disruptions (including flight delays and cancelations) are expected over the coming days due to the storm.
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.
