LIHU‘E — There is no reason for alarm yet, but there is definitely reason to be prepared. As a category 4 hurricane, with winds blowing up to 140 miles per hour, Felicia continues to head toward the Islands and has
LIHU‘E — There is no reason for alarm yet, but there is definitely reason to be prepared.
As a category 4 hurricane, with winds blowing up to 140 miles per hour, Felicia continues to head toward the Islands and has become the “focus” of meteorologists, National Weather Service forecaster Derek Wroe said.
“It’s in an area that is favorable for intensification,” he said late Wednesday afternoon, adding that hurricanes need warm, ocean water to sustain themselves or increase in strength.
However, there is a high probability Felicia has already reached its peak and will weaken to a tropical storm today as it moves over cooler waters, he said, but there is still “plenty of uncertainty.”
Located about 1,700 miles east-southeast of Hilo as of Wednesday afternoon, the system is moving at a rate of approximately 12 miles per hour and could affect a portion of Hawai‘i by late Sunday or Monday, Wroe said.
The storm might not affect Kaua‘i until Monday or Tuesday, if at all, he said.
At this stage, the distance of the hurricane has made it hard to predict where or how it could affect the Hawaiian chain, but meteorologists are continuing to monitor the situation.
Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Enrique, located farther away from the islands, is “much weaker” and not expected to be a factor in weather over the next five days as it moves along cooler waters in a northwesterly direction, according to forecasters.
“It should weaken or dissipate,” Wroe said.
Though there have been reports of the two systems possibly merging together and creating a super-storm, Wroe said it is unlikely that would occur.
“If that were to happen, one system would absorb the other by the time it had already weakened,” he said, adding that it would not create much of an effect.
Still, Hurricane Felicia is “definitely worth monitoring,” as it moves in “our general direction,” Wroe said, and added that it’s always a good idea to be prepared since “we’re in the heart of the hurricane season.”
Gov. Linda Lingle is also eyeing the storms, according to a press release.
“As we currently are in hurricane season, which runs through November, residents should prepare a family disaster plan, which should be discussed in detail with every family member,” Lingle said in a press release Wednesday. “Families are also advised to prepare a disaster supply kit with enough food and water for three to seven days. The emergency kit should also include medicine, toiletries, clothes, blankets, a radio, a flashlight, spare batteries and pet supplies in case an evacuation is necessary.
“In addition, residents should take the time to locate the nearest emergency shelter.”
For more information, visit www.scd.hawaii.gov.
