Hurricane Lane to Unleash “Life-Threatening Amounts of Rain”

Hurricane Lane, now a Category 3 storm, is unleashing downpours with “life-threatening amounts of rain,” according to CNN.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) adds that Big Island has seen “catastrophic flooding,” while CNN notes parts of the Big Island have also sustained landslides. Currently, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center has a hurricane warning in effect for Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe; a tropical storm warning in effect for the Big Island; and a hurricane watch for Kauai and Niihau.

For reference, according to the CPHC:

• A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
• A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area.
• A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.

Hurricane Lane is expected to continue moving north throughout the day but will turn towards the west Saturday with an increased forward speed (it’s currently moving at about 5 mph). On the latest forecast track, Lane is expected to move over, or dangerously close, to portions of the main Hawaiian Islands later today and tonight.

Lane is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 10 to 20 inches, with localized amounts of 30 to 40 inches possible over portions of the Hawaiian Islands. Over two feet of rain has already fallen at a few locations on the windward side of the Big Islands. Large surf swells are expected to severely impact the islands throughout the weekend and may lead to significant coastal erosion. Water levels may raise by as much as two to four feet above normal levels.

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