The National Weather Service said late Tuesday that Hurricane Lane had strengthened to become a Category 5 hurricane, which means that it is likely to cause catastrophic damage with winds 157 mph or above. The hurricane was about 500 miles southeast of Honolulu.
The weather service said that in a Category 5 hurricane, a high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed. Roofs and walls will collapse. The winds will knock down trees and power poles. The weather service adds that power outages will last for weeks to possibly months and most of an area hit by the hurricane will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Earlier Tuesday evening, the weather service issued a hurricane warning for the Big Island.
The weather service also issued a hurricane watch for Maui and other smaller islands, meaning tropical storm-force winds, excessive rain and large swells could arrive starting Wednesday. It’s possible Oahu and Kauai may later be included in an advisory for the hurricane.
Hurricane Lane “is forecast to move dangerously close to the main Hawaiian islands as a hurricane later this week, potentially bringing damaging winds and life-threatening flash flooding from heavy rainfall,” the weather service’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center warned as it got closer to the state.
According to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, as of 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Hurricane Lane was 365 miles south of Hilo, 535 miles south-southeast of Honolulu, 625 miles south-southeast of Lihue and 650 miles southeast of Niihau.
It was moving west-northwest at 9 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph.
According to AccuWeather, “Major Hurricane Lane is forecast to close in on Hawaii and threaten lives and property on the islands due to pounding surf, flash flooding, mudslides and strong winds.”
“There is the possibility of Lane making a direct hit on one or more of the islands late this week and into this weekend. The ultimate severity of impacts will depend on the exact track and strength of Lane.”
Even in lieu of a direct hit, “Lane has the potential of bringing the state of Hawaii serious and perhaps record damage,” according to AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski.
“All residents and interests on the islands should closely monitor Hurricane Lane and pay particular attention to local officials on possible evacuations and preparations,” Kottlowski said.
The National Weather service reported that Hurricane Lane was passing to the south-southeast of the Big Island Tuesday and was expected to make a turn toward the islands today into Thursday.
“The onset of damaging tropical storm force winds on the Big Island could be as early as Wednesday, with dangerous hurricane force winds possible by Wednesday night. On Maui county, damaging tropical storm force winds could begin as early as Wednesday night, with dangerous hurricane force winds possible starting on Thursday. Hurricane Watches may be needed for other areas as Lane draws closer,” NWS said.
Lane was expected to weaken gradually as it turned northwestward near the Hawaiian Islands.
“People should be prepared for power outages, coastal flooding, beach erosion, downed trees and major travel disruptions,” according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Alex Sosnowski.
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The Garden Island and Associated Press
There is no high pressure zones in the West. So that means Lane will continue on westward. Not north-west.
They’re hoping it hits the islands, to be correct. Money.
If i were one of the workers at the H.C., I would want it to hit the islands. Money.
I wouldn’t mind being correct on the blog. Smash Lihue, but not Honolulu. It’s a job.
Opinion? Come together. If this is what it will take to bring Kauai together, I really hope Lane smashes Lihue. Sometimes worse is better.
Calm before the storm. It looks calm today. UH football is flying to Colorado today. They are passing North of Hawaiian islands. 60,600 ibs/foot thrusters on one engine on that plane. If they get into trouble, just that, thrusters to pull them through. Playing Colorado State on Saturday. The outlook for them is science. How smarter are the pilots now? Experience pilots will do it. Not beginners. Just what is going through the player’s minds? Fear. Death. And now? More so due to added dangers to the flight.
I think politicians are a failure here. So, be it. Let Kauai be demolished by Lane. 155 mph winds. Lihue?
Obviously the players at UH are better than Lacin Montemayor. Matter of value or substance. UH players are worth more than Lacin Montemayor. Waimea high school football quarterback. Life and right wing politics.
Looking at the twist of the cyclone, same direction of the earth, h zones should pull the cyclone away to the West of Hawai’i. Not North. If you want to win, then I think it will smash Kauai. High or H zones are anywhere. The gravity will pull it West North West of Hawai’i. So that is about too far still south. Directional pull of the earth. Away from Hawaii still. West south west. Stir fried shrimp.