Tropical Storm Ana became Hurricane Ana at about 11 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service, after exhibiting sustained winds of up to 75 mph with higher gusts. ADVERTISING Tropical Storm Ana became Hurricane Ana at about 11 a.m.
Tropical Storm Ana became Hurricane Ana at about 11 a.m. Friday, according to the National Weather Service, after exhibiting sustained winds of up to 75 mph with higher gusts.
It was expected to pass about 115 miles southwest of the Big Island on Friday evening.
The storm was about 230 miles south of Hilo around 11 a.m. It was moving toward the west-northwest at about 14 mph.
“A slight turn to the northwest is expected today and Saturday. A decrease in forward speed is expected Saturday night and Sunday,” the update reads.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles from the center of the storm, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 90 miles. Hawaii County remained under a tropical storm watch, meaning that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within 12 hours. Oahu, Kaui and Maui County, including Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe, were also placed under a tropical storm watch.
“Large swells produced by Ana are expected to build over the eastern end of the main Hawaiian island chain (Friday) through Saturday. These large swells will continue to spread up the island chain through the weekend. Surf produced by these swells could potentially be damaging along exposed south and southeast shorelines beginning later (Friday) and Saturday, and persisting through the weekend in some areas,” reads an update on the NWS website.
“Heavy rainfall associated with Ana may reach the Big Island of Hawaii this afternoon, with total rain accumulations between 6 and 8 inches expected, with isolated totals of 12 inches possible. Heavy rain could potentially affect the other islands Saturday and Sunday. This rainfall could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.”
