Gov. David Ige Thursday issued an emergency disaster declaration ahead of the anticipated arrival this weekend of Hurricane Douglas.
Forecasters expect the storm to move near or over portions of Hawaii this weekend, bringing the threat of damaging winds, heavy rainfall and dangerous surf and storm surge starting Sunday morning for the Big Island. Watches could be issued as early as today.
Conditions could begin to deteriorate throughout the state as early as Saturday night, said warning coordination meteorologist John Bravender with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu.
“So, if you need to prepare, you want to take care of that (today) or Saturday. You want to be done by Saturday night because conditions will deteriorate rapidly,” Bravender said during a Thursday evening press conference.
As of 5 p.m. Thursday, the fast-moving Category 4 hurricane was located 1,125 miles east-southeast of Hilo with 130 mph winds as it tracked west-northwest at 18 mph, Bravender said.
Gradual weakening is forecast to begin today and continue through Saturday; however, Bravender cautioned that forecasters anticipate Douglas will remain at or near hurricane strength as it approaches the Big Island. The current forecast track, which Bravender cautioned three days out can be off by more than 100 miles, takes the storm right over the center of the state.
On Sunday morning, forecasters expect Douglas to be located 120 miles east of Hilo packing 75 mph winds, which is 2 mph above tropical storm strength. By Sunday evening, the storm’s expected to be located 60 miles north of Kailua-Kona, passing over North Kohala, packing 70 mph winds.
“Even though the forecast might have Douglas as a tropical storm as it moves through the state, we should prepare for hurricane-force conditions in case that it is slower to weaken,” Bravender said.
Those conditions include “extremely damaging winds,” heavy rainfall, high surf and storm surge, he said. Those living on the coast, particularly along east-facing shores, should prepare for “very, very dangerous” surf and storm surge.
“We could see rainfall amounts of several inches somewhere across the state, with localized amounts into the double digits,” Bravender said. “It’s too early to get very specific with those details or the areas that would be affected because it’s very dependent on the track (of the storm). A few adjustments north or south would vary who sees those largest impacts.
“So at this point, all residents should be preparing for Hurricane Douglas and getting ready while conditions are nice across the state over the next two days,” he continued.
The U.S. Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, also known as the Hurricane Hunters, based out of Mississippi is scheduled to fly through the storm today to gather additional information, including intensity and width of the storm.
“We’ll get that information every six hours and that will help us refine the original forecast so we will know how far out these tropical storm-force or hurricane-force winds extend out from the center,” Bravender said.
Ige’s signing of the proclamation is in preparation for possible impacts from the tropical cyclone and “authorizes the expenditure of state funds for the quick and efficient relief of disaster-related damage, losses and suffering that may result from the storm.” The relief period will remain in effect through July 31.
Hawaii’s utilities announced Thursday that they are preparing for the storm’s anticipated arrival and urged the public to do likewise.
“The company is closely monitoring Hurricane Douglas’ movement to move crews and equipment to areas most likely to be affected,” said Hawaiian Electric Co. in a press release.
Hawaii Gas said crews were topping off gas supplies for hospitals, first responders and other essential facilities to ensure continued operations. Propane tank refilling stations for 20-pound barbecue grill cylinders are also being filled statewide.
The company advised gas customers to not turn off their gas, as gas can provide a means of heating water and cooking food during a power outage. Only customers who are directed by state or county emergency management officials to evacuate their premises should turn off their gas at the meter or tank.
Email Chelsea Jensen at cjensen@westhawaiitoday.com.
