Gov. David Ige signed an emergency proclamation Friday in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Ignacio, which is forecast to pass near the Big Island early next week.
Gov. David Ige signed an emergency proclamation Friday in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Ignacio, which is forecast to pass near the Big Island early next week.
The storm was 780 miles east-southeast of Hilo with 90 mph maximum sustained winds Friday evening.
It was expected to pass as close as 100 miles northeast of Hilo as a category 1 hurricane on Monday and could begin stirring up some heavy surf on East Hawaii shores Saturday.
Ige’s proclamation activates the state’s major disaster fund. It also allows easier access to federal resources and allows certain laws to be suspended in emergency situations, the governor’s office said.
The Hawaii Electric Light Co. said it activated its emergency response plans Friday.
The Port of Hilo was under a “watch” Friday and there hadn’t been any decisions yet to close the harbor, a state Department of Transportation spokesman said. That would be the call of the Coast Guard, he said.
The island partially remained within the National Weather Service’s cone of uncertainty, and the storm could still shift closer to the island if it weakens more than expected, said John Bravender, weather service meteorologist in Honolulu.
On Monday, windward areas will see a 50 percent chance of tropical storm force winds (39 mph or greater) and a 5 percent chance of hurricane force winds (74 mph or greater), he said.
But the first signs of the storm could manifest Saturday on east and southeastern shores with surf possibly reaching advisory levels of 8 feet or more, Bravender said. It could reach warning levels for east facing shores early next week.
Increased rain showers could begin Sunday, he said.
With the hurricane expected to at least come close to the islands, Civil Defense officials were encouraging residents to be prepared.
“We understand the public is fatigued from experiencing four major approaching storms so far this season, but we urge people to take the weekend to prepare their homes and families for impacts that could be felt statewide,” said Dough Mayne, Hawaii Emergency Management administrator, in a statement.
Darryl Oliveira, Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator, also urged residents to get ready for significant impacts.
“We’re asking the public not to become complacent even though we had these close calls,” he said.
Tropical storm force winds could arrive as early as Sunday night, and the county will be ready to open shelters if needed, Oliveira said.
He said officials will likely go door to door Saturday in coastal communities to warn residents.
Farther to the east, Hurricane Jimena became a category 3 storm Friday with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph. It was moving west at 12 mph.
The storm was expected to strengthen to a category 5 hurricane within 24 hours.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.