Hurricane Hector has re-strengthened to Category 4 status, the National Weather Service said.
As of 11 a.m. today, the storm was 1,185 miles east-southeast of Hilo, with maximum sustained winds about 130 mph with higher gusts. It is moving to the west at about 14 mph.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the storm’s center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles.
The storm is expected to enter the Central Pacific Basin within the next 18 hours and to pass south of the islands on Wednesday. Little change in strength is expected tonight and Monday, but some slight weakening is forecast Monday night through Wednesday.
While the official forecast track continues to lie south of the Hawaiian Islands, only a slight deviation to the north of the forecast track would significantly increase potential impacts on Hawaii.
The National Weather Service and Hawaii County Civil Defense remind residents and visitors it’s a good time to ensure they have their hurricane plan in place.