Hurricane soaks Hawaii’s Big Island

Officials warn residents to shelter in place, watch for flooding

HONOLULU – A foot of rain spawned by the approach of Hurricane Lane soaked Hawaii’s Big Island on Thursday, and forecasters warned some areas could see up to 30 inches before the storm turns westward during the weekend.

From Oahu to the Big Island, Hawaiians stocked up on food, lined up at gas stations and hauled out generators as the outer bands of rain began inundating some islands with the approach of the hurricane.

Damaging tropical storm-force winds were expected Thursday on the island of Hawaii and by nightfall on Oahu, with hurricane-force winds possible Friday, the weather service said. Tornadoes and large waterspouts are also possible.

A flash-flood warning was in effect on the Big Island as rain pounded the island at a rate of 1 to 2 inches an hour, causing severe flooding and closing at least one highway.

A high-surf warning remained in effect for all islands through Friday, with a surf up to 25 feet along the Kau and Puna coasts.

“Stay well away from the shoreline,” weather officials warned.

By Thursday morning, Lane, with maximum sustained winds at 130 mph, was 210 miles from the Big Island and 305 miles south of Honolulu, moving on a northwesterly course at 7 mph. It was expected to pass very close to or over the islands Thursday and Friday, according to the National Weather Service, then likely turn west.

Officials opened shelters Wednesday on the Big Island and on the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai.

Officials warned the limited shelter space should be a “last resort” and the whalters aren’t designed to withstand winds greater than about 40 mph.

“Whenever possible, the public should plan to shelter in place or stay with family or friends in homes outside of these hazard areas that were designed, built, or renovated to withstand anticipated conditions,” the city and county of Honolulu said in a news release.