Big Island under tropical storm warning

Hawaii Island is under a tropical storm warning as Tropical Storm Flossie approaches from the east, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

As of 8 a.m., the storm was 490 miles east of Hilo and 550 miles east of Kailua-Kona. High wind, surf, heavy rains and flooding are expected, Civil Defense officials said.

A tropical storm warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area within 36 hours, weather service officials said.