Janice R. Andrews
Hawaii is on high watch as Tropical Storm Hone grows stronger and threatens to become a hurricane. A hurricane brings strong winds, heavy rain, and rough surf. The National Weather Service (NWS) said on Sunday that the storm had been upgraded to a hurricane, telling people all over the islands to get ready for bad weather.
Hurricane Hone is a very real danger to Hawaii.
As Hurricane Hone moves south of Big Island, it will likely bring wind gusts of over 85 mph and steady winds of 50 to 75 mph. There is a big chance of flash floods because of the storm, especially on the Big Island, where it is supposed to rain a lot. The NWS says that the storm’s major dangers are strong winds, flash flooding, and big waves along the east-facing shores.
Hawaii’s Governor Josh Green issued a state of emergency on Saturday because of the storm. The emergency will last until Monday. This emergency order gives the governor the power to call up the National Guard, use state disaster funds, and temporarily halt some state laws that might make it harder to respond quickly to the hurricane’s effects.
Impact and Prediction: What Hurricane Hone Will Do and What to Expect
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Hurricane Hone has winds that reach up to 15 miles from its center and up to 125 miles with tropical storm power. The storm is expected to get weaker over the course of Sunday afternoon, but dangerous conditions are still likely.
Tropical storm conditions will last on the Big Island until Monday morning. The winds will be strongest on higher ground, over headlands, and through mountain passes. On the Big Island, Hurricane Hone is expected to bring 6 to 12 inches of rain, with higher amounts possible in some areas. In addition, smaller areas might get between 2 and 4 inches of rain.
Because the waves are so high, beach parks on the Big Island have already been closed and shelters have been set up as a safety measure. Mayor Mitch Roth of Big Island told people to be careful during the storm and listen to official advice.
Coastal Risks and Concerns About Flooding
In a coastal danger message for Hawaii, the NWS said that wave heights will be “rapidly rising” from 14 to 18 feet on Saturday along the east coast of the Big Island. These dangerous conditions could cause waves and rip currents that could kill people all along the island chain.
Waves are also expected to get much higher on Maui’s east-facing shores. Because of this, officials are telling residents and tourists to stay away from the shoreline along these areas. The storm’s effects on the coast remind me of the terrible wildfires that burned through Maui just over a year ago, which were caused by winds strong enough to be hurricanes.
Precautionary Steps and Key Safety Advice
As Hurricane Hone gets closer, people are being asked to take extra steps to protect themselves and their belongings. The NWS says to lock up outdoor items, make emergency kits, and have a plan for what to do if the power goes out or you are told to leave your home.
“Keep up with the news and do what the government says,” said Jon Jelsema, a senior forecaster at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu. “As the rain gets pushed up the mountain terrain, it wrings it out, leading to significant flooding concerns in windward sections of the Big Island.”
As Hurricane Hone moves through Hawaii, the risk of floods and dangerous surf conditions make it even more important to stay alert and ready. People in the area are told to pay close attention to local news and weather reports and put safety first above all else.
Hawaii is in danger from Hurricane Hone, which will hit the islands in the next few days with strong winds, heavy rain, and dangerous surf. As the state gets ready for the storm, officials are doing everything they can to keep people safe and limit the damage that could happen. Hawaii can get through the storm and come out stronger on the other side if they make the right plans and are careful.
