Hurricane Lane strengthens to Category 5 as it heads for Hawaii

HONOLULU: Hurricane Lane strengthened to a Category 5 storm as it headed toward Hawaii where residents braced for ‘life threatening’ winds and flooding when it hits the US islands this week, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.

The hurricane, packing 160 miles per hour winds was expected to hit Hawaii’s Big Island on Thursday with gusts capable of damaging roofs and knocking out power, the NHC warned.

“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the centre said.

The centre of the storm is expected to track ‘dangerously’ close to or over the islands Thursday through Saturday, the NHC said.

“Slow weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, but Lane is forecast to remain a dangerous hurricane as it draws closer to the Hawaiian Islands,” the centre said.

After hitting the Big Island, the storm is expected to churn north over the islands of Maui, Lanai and Moloka’i, which were all under hurricane and flash flood watches.

Rainfall of 20 inches in some areas could lead to major flash flooding, landslides and mudslides, the NHC said.

Devastation caused by winds and flooding may make locations uninhabitable for weeks and authorities warned Hawaii residents to be prepared to evacuate their homes. — Reuters