Tropical Storm Watch Issued for Big Island Interior

A Tropical Storm Watch has been issued for Big Island Interior, Big Island North and East, Big Island Summits, Kohala, Kona and South Big Island

A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Big Island Interior, Big Island North and East, Big Island Sumits, Kohala, Kona and South Big Island

STORM INFORMATION:

• About 890 miles east-southeast of Honolulu or about 680 miles east-southeast of Hilo 15.8N 145.6W
• Storm Intensity is at 155 mph
• Movement West-northwest or 285 degrees at 16 mphHurricane Hector is expected to pass approximately 150 miles south of the Big Island on Wednesday.
• However, only a small deviation to the north of the forecast track could bring tropical storm force winds to  the Big Island late Tuesday night or Wednesday.
• Surf along east facing shores is already building, and is expected to peak at 15 to 20 feet, mainly for the Puna and Kau districts of the Big Island, late Tuesday or Wednesday.
• Peripheral rainfall from Hector may affect portions of the Big Island as Hector passes south and southwest of the state. The rainfall may be locally heavy at times, particularly on east or southeast facing slopes.

POTENTIAL IMPACTS

WIND:

Prepare for hazardous wind having possible limited impacts across the Big Island. Potential impacts include:

• Damage to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. Unsecured lightweight objects blown about.
• Many large tree limbs broken off. A few trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Some fences and roadway signs blown over.
• A few roads impassable from debris, particularly within urban or heavily wooded places. Hazardous driving conditions on bridges and other elevated roadways.
• Scattered power and communications outages.

FLOODING RAIN: 

Prepare for locally hazardous rainfall flooding having possible limited impacts across the Ka‘ū and Puna districts of the Big Island.

Potential impacts include:

• Localized rainfall flooding may prompt a few evacuations.
• Rivers and tributaries may quickly rise with swifter currents. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become swollen and overflow in spots.
• Flood waters can enter a few structures, especially in usually vulnerable spots. A few places where rapid ponding of water occurs at underpasses, low-lying spots, and poor drainage areas. Several storm drains and retention ponds become near-full and begin to overflow. Some brief road and bridge
  closures.

Elsewhere across the rest of the Hawaiian Islands, little to no impact is
anticipated.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS

• Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately.

OTHER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:

• Now is the time to check your emergency plan and emergency supplies kit and take necessary actions to protect your family and secure your home or business.
• When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm.