Hurricane Lane: Shelters open as Hawaii residents prepare for floods and rain as storm closes in

Tropical storm-force winds, excessive rain and large swells are likely as storm passes

Hurricane Lane approaches Hawaii

Hawaii residents are bracing for “life threatening” winds and flooding as Hurricane Lane, a Category 4 storm, continues its progress towards the state.

Many have been stockpiling food, water and other supplies as schools were closed until further notice and the coast guard warned the public to prepare.

With effects from the hurricane expected to begin hitting Hawaiian islands as soon as Wednesday, Governor David Ige has already signed a state of emergency in anticipation of the storm that had sustained winds of 155 mph as it approached the islands from the southwest. Schools in the island have been shut down as well.

"This will allow us to line up services and resources prior so that we can keep our communities safe," Mr Ige wrote in a tweet announcing his decision. "Never seen such dramatic changes in forecast track as with Hurricane Lane. Urging residents to prepare for a significant impact".

Meanwhile, officials have warned residents to shelter in place during the storm if possible, noting that Hawaii does not have enough shelter space to house everyone on the island.

President Donald Trump also weighed in, saying: "Everyone in the path of Hurricane Lane please prepare yourselves, heed the advice of State and local officials and follow @NWSHonolulu for updates. Be safe!"

The National Weather Service has issued a hurricane warning for Hawaii island and a hurricane watch for Oahu, Maui and other smaller islands, meaning tropical storm-force winds, excessive rain and large swells could arrive starting on Wednesday — and storm conditions are likely to last through at least Saturday. A hurricane warning had already been extended from Hawaii's Big Island to the island of Maui on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service.

While Lane had previously gained strength to become a Category 5 storm — marking just one of two recorded instances of a storm of that strength passing within 350 miles of the southern point of Big Island — conditions were not sustainable for that speed, and it was quickly dec-categorised. Lane is expected, according to forecasts, to pass close by the southern tip of the Hawaiian islands at 2 pm local time Thursday, and then travel north until it hits close to northern portions at 2 pm Friday, and then veer westward into the Pacific Ocean.

Additional reporting by agencies

Key Points

• Cyclone expected to track 'dangerously' close to or over islands from Thursday to Saturday
• It could bring 'damaging winds and life-threatening flash flooding', National Weather Service warns
• Residents are being told to shelter in place unless they live in flood zones or are instructed to evacuate, as the state has limited shelter room
• Airlines servicing Hawaii have begun offering fee waivers for flight changes, and petrol stations have begun to run out of gas

[22 August 2018 14:17 · Steve Anderson]

And here is some footage taken from the eye of the storm from Lisa Bucci, a scientists with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

 

[22 August 2018 14:33 · Steve Anderson]

As well as strong winds, rain will be one of the first effects of the hurricane. It is currently heading towards Big Island.

Here is the latest from the Hurricane Center:

"Excessive rainfall associated with Lane is expected to affect portions of the Hawaiian Islands from late today into the weekend, leading to flash flooding and landslides. Lane is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 15 inches with isolated amounts greater than 20 inches over the Hawaiian Islands."

And more from a local news station:

 

[22 August 2018 15:35 · Steve Anderson]

Another image of now what is looking like a very angry storm:

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[22 August 2018 16:12 · Steve Anderson]

President Trump has warned people in Hawaii to 'prepare themselves' retweeting advice from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) that those in the path of Hurricane Lane "get ready now".

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[22 August 2018 16:34 · Steve Anderson]

The National Hurricane Center has issued a new advisory, saying that Hurricane Lane has weakened slightly to a Category 4 storm. Although winds speeds are still approaching 155mph.

[22 August 2018 17:11 · Steve Anderson]

As the rains come in, mountainous areas of Hawaii are likely to be particularly prone to flooding, while southern shores will be at risk from high levels of surf.

[22 August 2018 17:29 · Steve Anderson]

The National Hurricane Center has now been extended its hurricane warning for Hawaii's Big Island to include the island of Maui.

[22 August 2018 18:20 · Steve Anderson]

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is tracking water levels, with flooding likey to be a problem in some areas of Hawaii as the storm moves through.

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[22 August 2018 18:57 · Kristin Hugo]

  ↵Here's some further footage from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) scientist who flew into the eye of Hurricane Lane, this time released by NOAA itself on Twitter.

[22 August 2018 19:21 · Kristin Hugo]

Hurricane Lane could come as a shock for some residents in Hawaii, as the state does not have an extensive history with the storms compared to east coast states like Florida.

The last time a major hurricane hit the state was in 1992, when Hurricane Iniki — a Category 4 storm — devastated the island. That hurricane was born from El Nino, and strengthened as it approached the state before the eye passed over Kauai on September 11. The storm caused $1.8b in damage and led to six deaths.