5 pm Update: Iselle maintains strength as it approaches Hawaii Aug 6, 2014 06:47 PM HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) At 5 p.m. Wednesday Iselle was located about 515 miles east-southeast of Hilo and was moving west-northwest at 18 miles per hour. It had maximum sustained winds of 90 miles per hour, making it a Category 1 hurricane. On the forecast track, the center of Iselle is expected to pass very near or over the Big Island Thursday night, and pass just south of the smaller islands Friday. Hurricane force winds currently extend 45 miles from the center. Tropical storm force winds (39-74 mph) extend outward up to 140 miles. (Track Iselle and Julio with the Hawaii News Now Hurricane Tracker) Forecasters at the CHPC say some weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours. However, Iselle is still expected to be near hurricane strength as it passes near or over the Big Island. The outer winds of the storm may be felt on the Big Island by Thursday afternoon, with hurricane conditions expected Thursday night. A Hurricane Warning has been issued for the Big Island, while a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Maui County and Oahu. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Kauai County. WIND...Tropical storm conditions are expected on the Big Island of Hawaii Thursday, with hurricane conditions expected Thursday night. Tropical storm conditions are expected for portions of Maui county Thursday night, and for Oahu late Thursday night and Friday. Tropical storm conditions are possible for Kauai county on Friday. RAIN...Rainfall totals of 5 to 8 inches, with isolated maximum amounts to 12 inches, are expected along the track of Iselle. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods as well as rock and mud slides. SURF: Swells generated by Iselle will continue to build along east facing shores tonight. Very large, damaging surf is expected along mainly east and south shores starting late tonight or Thursday. STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and the tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters. The water could reach the following heights above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide,. Big Island windward and Kau, 1 to 3 ft. The highest water will occur along the immediate coast in areas of onshore flow. The surge will be accompanied by large and damaging waves. Surge related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can vary greatly over short distances. The National Weather Service tweeted the following information Wednesday afternoon: Anticipated Iselle conditions for Hawaii County. Winds 60-70 mph, gusts to 85 mph. Rain 5-8+ inches, locally higher windward. Anticipated Iselle conditions for Maui County. Winds 45-55 mph, gusts to 65 mph. Rain 5-8+ inches, locally higher windward. Anticipated Iselle conditions for Oahu. Winds 40-50 mph, gusts to 55+ mph. Rain 4-7+ inches, locally higher windward. Anticipated Iselle conditions for Kauai. Winds 35-45 mph, gusts to 50+ mph. Rain 4-7+ inches, locally higher windward. Onset of Iselle tropical storm force winds on Big Island is 4 p.m. Thursday. Onset of Iselle tropical storm force winds on Maui is 9 p.m. Thursday. Onset of Iselle tropical storm force winds (39+ mph) on Oahu is 6 a.m. Friday, 4 p.m. Friday for Kauai. As it passes south, the closest approach of Iselle to Honolulu is forecast to be 9 a.m. Friday. Forecasters and emergency management officials say you should prepare now for the possibility of heavy rain, flooding, strong winds, power outages, large surf and coastal surges. Iselle is the ninth named tropical cyclone in the Eastern Pacific this hurricane season. We are only two months into the six month season, which runs through November 30. Stay tuned for the latest forecasts and check out our HNN Hurricane page and Interactive Radar. You can also get the latest Iselle updates on your mobile phone click HERE or search the app/play store for Hawaii News Now Weather. We also have the latest Iselle track and graphics on our mobile news app, just click on the weather tab. Here are some tips from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center when a hurricane or tropical storm threatens... Secure loose outdoor objects that might be blown away by high winds, and become flying debris. Boats should be moored securely, or moved to a designated safe area well before the storm arrives. Windows should be boarded up. Larger windows may be broken by wind pressure, while smaller windows are mainly damaged by wind driven debris. If evacuation is required, be sure to take your disaster supply kit when leaving for a designated shelter. Keep in mind that evacuation routes may become flooded or cut off, even before the full force of the tropical cyclone arrives.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 05:17:32 +0000
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