The Central Pacific Hurricane Center tropical storm warning remains in effect for Hawaii Island as of 1 p.m. today. The center is forecasting wet and windy weather conditions to persist throughout the day but will decrease in intensity later this afternoon and into the night.
At 11 a.m., Hone was located about 100 miles southwest of Kailua-Kona on Big Isle, packing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph with higher gusts while moving west-northwest at 12 mph.
Earlier today the radar indicated a band of heavy rainfall over the southeast flank of the island. The highest recorded rainfall was 1 to 2 inches with up to 3 inches per hour between South Point and Volcano.
Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles.
Hone is expected to produce an additional 3 to 5 inches of rainfall mostly over the windward- and southeast-facing slopes of Hawaii Island.
According to a press release, hundreds of Hawaiian Electric employees are working to restore electric service to customers impacted by Hurricane Hone. As of 11:30 a.m., approximately 14,000 customers on Hawaii Island were without power.
The outages were caused by impacts from the storm and were not related to the company’s Public Safety Power Shutoff program.
Hawaii County Civil Defense updates:
• Highway 11 in Ka‘u District between Whittington Park and Punalulu‘u remains closed due to roadway flooding.
• The Ka‘u Gym in Pahala and Naalehu Commuity Center in Naalehu are open to support the above road closure.
• All other public shelters that were opened yesterday were closed as of noon today.
• Hele On Bus routes that were suspended for the weekend will resume operations Monday.
• The Department of Education confirms DOE schools will be open Monday morning. Those with children attending a charter or private school, should check with school administration on the opening status.
Hurricane Hone caused widespread wind, rain, and flood damage across Hawaii Island. If you sustained damage to your property due to Hurricane Hone, please report damages online on the Civil Defense website at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/13ffdc337b544dc0a8665fcdf9e67957 or call Civil Defense at 808-935-0031.
Previous update:
7 a.m.
Hone strengthened into a hurricane late Saturday night with maximum sustained winds of at least 85 mph as of 5 a.m. today.
According to the National Weather Service, little change in strength is expected through the morning, before gradually weakening this afternoon. Hurricane-force winds are extending outward up to 25 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds are extending outward up to 115 miles.
The NWS has issued a flash flood warning for the following districts: Hamakua, Ka’u, Hilo, Kohala, Puna and Kona. A flash flood warning means that flooding is imminent or occurring. Residents in flood-prone areas are asked to remain on alert for possible flooding conditions. Move to high ground as necessary. Drive with caution and be on the alert for run-off, the ponding of water, debris and poor visibility. Do not attempt to cross flowing water in a vehicle or on foot.
Notices:
• All east-facing County Beach Parks are closed.
• Waipio Valley Access Road is closed due to storm conditions.
• The County of Hawaii Hele-On Bus Service has canceled some routes through this weekend. For a list of canceled bus routes, please visit the County of Hawaii, Civil Defense website at https://hawaii-county-civil-defense-agency-hawaiicountygis.hub.arcgis.com/.
• County Parks and Rec has closed the Hilo Municipal Golf Course due to flooding and debris.
• The Oceanview and Pahala transfer stations are closed.