HONOLULU: Torrential rain pounded Hawaii as Hurricane Lane crawled toward the island state, triggering landslides and "catastrophic" flooding, while forcing hundreds to seek emergency refuge.
By mid-afternoon, Lane was situated around 190 kilometers south of the capital Honolulu, but had slowed its north-northeastward progression to a pedestrian two miles per hour.
Experts concern the eye of the hurricane will go dangerously with reference to portions of the central Hawaiian islands later Friday and Saturday ahead of turning westward and away from the chance zone.
"Regardless of the hurricane track, life-threatening impacts will extend far beyond the center position as Lane approaches the islands," the National Weather Center said.
"Excessive rainfall associated with this slow moving hurricane will continue to impact the Hawaiian Islands into the weekend, leading to catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides." Meteorologists have downgraded the machine to a Category One hurricane, with most sustained winds of 85 miles per hour.
A tropical hurricane caution was in place on Big Island, while typhoon warnings remained in place for Oahu and Maui, the two most populated islands.
Brad Kieserman, vice president of Disaster Operations and Logistics for the American Red Cross, told a news convention greater than 2,000 other folks were sheltering in 45 evacuation facilities.
"I would not be surprised to wake up tomorrow morning and see evacuation center populations at or above 2,500 or 3,000," he added.
Almost 60 centimeters of rain fell on the iconic Waikiki Beach in the final 36 hours, forcing its closure as hoteliers and store house owners piled sandbags outdoor their companies.
The mainly-rural Big Island — house to the still-erupting Kilauea Volcano — has taken the worst hit to this point, alternatively, with greater than 30 inches of rain in about 24 hours.
Experts warned of "whiteout conditions" — steam loaded with debris and poisonous gases produced when lava hits cool moisture — as the hurricane hits.
"The hurricane should not have a significant effect on the eruption aside from minor rockfalls at the summit and increased steaming from Puu Oo and Lerz vents," america Geological Survey said.
"Whiteout conditions could occur on the new lava field due to steam produced by heavy rain falling on still-hot lava flows." Meanwhile Brock Long, administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), warned of main disruptions to the facility grid.
"Citizens need to realize that we are looking at major hurricane impacts and things are going to break," Long said.
"We need to set the expectation that the power could go off for quite some time and the infrastructure is going to be heavily impacted." Residents around the state had been stocking up on water, food, fuel and emergency supplies as Lane drew closer.
By mid-afternoon, Lane was situated around 190 kilometers south of the capital Honolulu, but had slowed its north-northeastward progression to a pedestrian two miles per hour.
Experts concern the eye of the hurricane will go dangerously with reference to portions of the central Hawaiian islands later Friday and Saturday ahead of turning westward and away from the chance zone.
"Regardless of the hurricane track, life-threatening impacts will extend far beyond the center position as Lane approaches the islands," the National Weather Center said.
"Excessive rainfall associated with this slow moving hurricane will continue to impact the Hawaiian Islands into the weekend, leading to catastrophic and life-threatening flash flooding and landslides." Meteorologists have downgraded the machine to a Category One hurricane, with most sustained winds of 85 miles per hour.
A tropical hurricane caution was in place on Big Island, while typhoon warnings remained in place for Oahu and Maui, the two most populated islands.
Brad Kieserman, vice president of Disaster Operations and Logistics for the American Red Cross, told a news convention greater than 2,000 other folks were sheltering in 45 evacuation facilities.
"I would not be surprised to wake up tomorrow morning and see evacuation center populations at or above 2,500 or 3,000," he added.
Almost 60 centimeters of rain fell on the iconic Waikiki Beach in the final 36 hours, forcing its closure as hoteliers and store house owners piled sandbags outdoor their companies.
The mainly-rural Big Island — house to the still-erupting Kilauea Volcano — has taken the worst hit to this point, alternatively, with greater than 30 inches of rain in about 24 hours.
Experts warned of "whiteout conditions" — steam loaded with debris and poisonous gases produced when lava hits cool moisture — as the hurricane hits.
"The hurricane should not have a significant effect on the eruption aside from minor rockfalls at the summit and increased steaming from Puu Oo and Lerz vents," america Geological Survey said.
"Whiteout conditions could occur on the new lava field due to steam produced by heavy rain falling on still-hot lava flows." Meanwhile Brock Long, administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), warned of main disruptions to the facility grid.
"Citizens need to realize that we are looking at major hurricane impacts and things are going to break," Long said.
"We need to set the expectation that the power could go off for quite some time and the infrastructure is going to be heavily impacted." Residents around the state had been stocking up on water, food, fuel and emergency supplies as Lane drew closer.
Drenched Hawaii on edge as Hurricane Lane slows its roll
![Drenched Hawaii on edge as Hurricane Lane slows its roll]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
August 25, 2018
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