The islands of Hawaii, Oahu, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe were under a hurricane watch Thursday as Hurricane Lester surged closer to the islands. Much of the rest of the Intermountain west remains unsettled, with scattered showers and embedded thunderstorms across the region and into eastern Montana as well.
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Hawaii County is opening shelters in Keaukaha and Pahoa as Hurricane Lester stirs up surf on east-facing shores.
Hurricane Lester is churning toward the state as a Category 2 storm, and could bring damaging surf and heavy rains to parts of the islands starting late Friday.
Winds will be light or moderate and may reach 20 to 25 miles per hour in some areas later today, said Bob Burke, weather service meteorologist.
One note from CPHC is that the official forecast keeps the center of Lester northeast of the islands, a westward deviation from the official forecast track could bring profound impacts to Hawaii.
Inge spokeswoman Cindy McMillan said the storm had taken a turn to the north, away from the islands.
“T$3 the probability that Maui County will experience tropical storm-force winds is significantly higher with Hurricane Lester than it was with Madeline”, said Maui County Emergency Management Office Anna Foust in a county news release. And on the East Coast, a tropical storm warning was issued for an area extending from Marineland, Florida, northward to the South Santee River in SC.
Hawaii Island was pummeled with heavy rains and strong waves overnight, but residents woke to blue skies but little damage after Madeline skirted the island.
Julie Harrison said she was a little nervous the hurricanes would ruin her trip to the Big Island but she made a decision to come regardless.
The National Weather Service says that now Oahu is under the watch due to Hurricane Lester.
Meteorologists said the Big Island and Maui County will likely see the biggest impacts.
Emergency officials are also preparing for the possible arrival of Hurricane Lester. The Department of Health said people should stay out of waters with storm runoff, because of possible overflowing cesspools, sewer manholds, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and flood debris.
Elsewhere, forecasters say Tropical Storm Hermine could strike the South as a hurricane. “Everybody’s got their guard up and we’re watching closely, but nothing to suggest that they need to cancel their trips or go home early because of a pending hurricane coming this way”. You have now viewed your allowance of free articles.
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