Hurricane Lane, which is currently churning out in the Pacific Ocean, is now a Category 4 storm and is poised to make landfall in Hawaii.
A hurricane warning was issued for Maui County, which includes Maui, Lanai, Molokai, and Kahoolawe islands. A hurricane watch was issued for Kauai and previously, Oahu, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center in an Aug. 22 update at around 11 a.m. ET.
A hurricane warning was previously issued for Hawaii County.
Lane is about “280 miles south of the Big Island this morning and has started a turn towards the northwest in line with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecast,” said the NHC in another update at 11:45 a.m. ET.
The storm previously reached Category 5 strength with 160 mph winds. The storm was downgraded slightly to a Category 4 with 155 mph winds, the NHC said.
“The center of Lane will track dangerously close to the Hawaiian Islands from Thursday [Aug. 23] through Saturday [Aug 25],” the agency said in a statement. “Regardless of the exact track of the storm center, life-threatening impacts are likely over some areas as this strong hurricane makes it’s [sic] closest approach. Just a reminder that impacts from a hurricane extend far from the center of the storm and slight changes to the forecast track this close to the islands will produce rapid changes to the local forecast impacts.”
“A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” according to the agency.
It added: “A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.”
The storm is located 315 miles south of Kailua and Kona in Hawaii and about 460 miles south-southeast of Honolulu, the capital.
Hurricane Lane is moving at 9 mph west-northwest, the agency said.
Experts Say Lane Could be a Disaster
Some experts say that the rare Hawaii hurricane could be catastrophic.
According to Weather Channel Weather Geeks executive producer and meteorologist Mike Chesterfield, “For the record….#hurricane force winds for Oahu would be disastrous. Unfortunately worst case scenario is still on the table…. #Lane.”
For the record….#hurricane force winds for Oahu would be disastrous. Unfortunately worst case scenario is still on the table…. #Lane
— Mike Chesterfield (@mchesterfield26) August 21, 2018
“Catagory 5 #HurricaneLane is the closest a storm of this strength has been to Hawaii in recorded history. It could cause catastrophic damage with two feet of rain in some areas. A historic and potentially devastating system,” wrote Janice Dean, a Fox News meteorologist, in a tweet.
Catagory 5 #HurricaneLane is the closest a storm of this strength has been to Hawaii in recorded history. It could cause catastrophic damage with two feet of rain in some areas. A historic and potentially devastating system. @foxandfriends pic.twitter.com/Efuu6U6C26
— Janice Dean (@JaniceDean) August 22, 2018
Michael Lowry, who is a FEMA Strategic Planner and tropical meteorologist wrote a warning that Lane is “a rare and sobering sight tonight in the Central Pacific, as Hurricane #Lane becomes only the 6th recorded Category 5 hurricane in this part of the Pacific, and the nearest to #Hawaii a Cat 5 hurricane has ever been observed. #hiwx.”
From The Epoch Times