Tropical Storm Hone Heads for Hawaii: Warnings Issued and Preparations Underway for Potential Impact

Hawaii Island under Tropical Storm Warning as Hone Approaches

As Hawaii gets ready for Tropical Storm Hone to make landfall, storm warnings have been issued for the Big Island. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center has reported that Hone is continuing on its westward path with the islanders bracing for a significant impact through the night.

Current Situation

As per the latest updates, Tropical Storm Hone, currently experiencing sustained winds of 50 mph, is located at about 380 miles east-southeast of Hilo and 595 miles east-southeast of Honolulu. The storm is expected to come close or pass south of the Big Island later this evening into Sunday.

The tropical storm warning indicates that the storm conditions are anticipated to affect the warning area within the next 36 hours. With Hone bringing 5 to 10 inches of rainfall mainly to windward and southeast facing slopes of the Big Island, smaller islands could witness rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches, predominantly in the windward regions.

Wind Advisory and Red Flag Warning

The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory effective from Saturday to Monday with leeward areas of all islands expected to face strong downslope winds. As Hone approaches, northeast winds of up to 35 mph, with localized gusts exceeding 50 mph, are predicted for parts of Niihau, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Kahoolawe, and Oahu.

A red flag warning has also been issued for leeward sections of all Hawaiian islands as the combination of winds from Hone and dry weather conditions heighten the threat of wildfires. The combination of strong winds, dry fuels, and low relative humidity could contribute to extreme fire behavior, with any fires developing likely to spread rapidly.

State Preparations

In light of the storm, necessary precautions have been taken by the state authorities. The state Division of Forestry and Wildlife has announced the closure of camping areas and the rescheduling of special hunts this weekend. Notifications have been sent to all those who had requested camping permits.

Residents have also been asked to make timely efforts to secure their property, with potential risks including large tree limbs breaking off and damage to carports, porches, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. The authorities have further warned of potentially dangerous driving conditions on elevated roadways and bridges, along with the possibility of scattered power and communication outages.

High Surf Advisory

A high surf advisory is in place for eastern shores of Hawaii Island from tonight through Sunday morning. Large breaking waves of 7 to 10 feet are expected along Hawaii Island’s east shores. The strong currents will make swimming dangerous. The public is warned to stay alert.

Gilma Also on the Horizon

In addition to Hone, Hurricane Gilma is also on a westward path, albeit further away from the Hawaiian islands. As of recent reports, Gilma, currently weakening, was located about 1,800 miles east of Hilo, moving westward at 9 mph, with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. Although Gilma poses no immediate threat to the land, residents and authorities are keeping a close eye on its progress.