Marmac Ace Hardware Maui Lani cashier Karen Shinsato rings up Waihee’s Matt Daniels for hurricane prep supplies Tuesday morning. Store owner David Marrs said the store was jammed all day with customers preparing for Hurricane Lane. “Today was just as busy as when we had our first grand opening,” he said at 5:30 p.m. “I let two cashiers go home, and right now I’ve got two lines with 15 to 20 people in each line. People just keep pulling into the parking lot.” The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
Hurricane Lane will move “dangerously close to or over the main Hawaiian Islands” from Thursday to Saturday if the powerful system remains on its forecast track, the National Weather Service said at 6 p.m. Tuesday.
The weather service issued a hurricane watch — which means that hurricane-force winds may move into the area in the next two days — Tuesday morning for Maui County. Lane is expected to turn northwest today and to the north-northwest Thursday, bringing the dangerous hurricane close to the Hawaiian Islands.
“Regardless of the exact track of the center, major impacts are likely in some areas as the hurricane makes its closest approach. It is important to remember, these impacts can extend far from the center,” the weather service said.
At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Lane was about 370 miles south of Hilo with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, strengthening to a Category 5 hurricane through the day. The system is moving west-northwest at 9 mph, the weather service said.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles and tropical-storm-force winds up to 140 miles from the center, the weather service said.
Costco General Manager Tony Facemire (right) talks with Front End Manager Alex Lewis near the cash registers Tuesday afternoon. The Maui News / CHRIS SUGIDONO photo
Damaging tropical-storm-force winds could begin as early as tonight in Maui County, with dangerous hurricane-force winds possible starting late Thursday, the weather service said.
Deep tropical moisture associated with Lane will spread across all islands. Expect periods of heavy rainfall, especially along the southeast- and east-facing slopes, the weather service said. Storm rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 inches with local amounts greater than 20 inches are possible.
A flash-flood watch has been posted for this morning to Friday afternoon for Maui County.
A swell generated by Lane could bring very large and rough surf and dangerous rip currents to south- and southeast-facing shores, the weather service said.
A high-surf advisory for south-facing shores of Maui, Lanai and Molokai has been posted from noon today to 6 a.m. Thursday. Surf was expected to reach 8 to 12 feet this evening and could reach warning levels.
The U.S. Coast Guard on Tuesday advised people to stay clear of beaches. Wave heights and currents typically increase before a storm makes landfall. Even the best swimmers can fall victim to the strong waves and rip currents caused by hurricanes. Swimmers should stay clear of beaches until lifeguards and law enforcement officials say the water is safe.
The weather service said it is much too early to confidently determine which, if any, of the main Hawaiian Islands will be directly impacted by Lane. After Lane makes its turn to the northwest today to Thursday, track and intensity forecasts remain uncertain because of the interaction with island mountains and increasing vertical wind shear.
A slow weakening of Lane is expected over the next two days, but the system is expected to remain a dangerous hurricane as it draws nearer to the islands, the weather service said.
Glenn James, meteorologist with Hawaii Weather Today, said Tuesday on his website that there is “a considerable amount of uncertainty in the models” about when the rain will stop. One model shows modest drying out over the weekend, while another shows high moisture over the islands into next week, which would be troublesome for any areas already saturated.
The combination of a deep moist unstable layer and strong low-level wind shear along and to the east of the track of Lane will make tornadoes and large waterspouts a possibility in rain bands, he added.
The weather service urged residents and visitors to keep informed about the movements of Lane and to be prepared to evacuate immediately. Those not under evacuation orders should assess the risk from wind, falling trees and flooding.
It is time to check emergency plans and supplies, the weather service said. Visitors should check with hotel and resort officials about disaster plans.
Wind effects from a hurricane could include roof damage, structural damage, airborne projectiles, large trees snapped and uprooted, large debris on roads and power outages, the weather service said.
The flooding rain could prompt evacuations from low-lying areas. There could be overflowing streams, and mud and rock slides. Structures and communities could be flooded or washed away. Driving conditions could be dangerous.
Tornadoes could create power and communication disruptions and peel roofs off buildings, topple chimneys, blow vehicles off roads and snap off tree tops and branches.
Storm information is available on the weather service website at www.prh.noaa.gov/pr/hnl/. The Hawaii Tourism Authority has an alert web page at www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts/. The Maui Emergency Management Agency can be reached at 270-7285.
* Lee Imada can be reached at leeimada@mauinews.com.
BASIC EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT
• Water. 1 gallon per person, per day for at least three days; for drinking and sanitation.
• Food. At least three-day supply of nonperishable food.
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert. Extra batteries.
• Flashlight and extra batteries.
• First aid kit.
• Whistle. To signal for help.
• Dust mask and duct tape. To help filter contaminated air and tape for various needs while sheltering in place.
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties. For personal sanitation.
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
• Manual can opener for food.
• Local maps.
• Prescription medications and glasses.
• Infant formula and diapers.
• Pet food and extra water for pets.
• Important family documents in waterproof, portable container for copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records.
• Extra clothes and sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person.
– Books, games, puzzles, other activities for children.
For more information, visit the Federal Emergency Management Agency website at www.fema.gov/media-library/assets/documents/90354.
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