Tropical Storm Ana hit hurricane strength Friday, but an increasingly westward track for the system was forecast to keep the heaviest wind and rain to the south of the island.
A flash flood watch for the entire island is in effect through Sunday, with 6-8 inches and up to 12 inches in places for south and western portions of the island. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Big Island leeward and southeast waters and a tropical storm watch has been posted for the Big Island and windward waters.
“We’re looking at 30-40 mph winds across the southern portion of the island including South Kona,” National Weather Service forecaster Eric Lau said. “Up in Kailua-Kona it could be a little less, depending on how Ana interacts with the terrain.”
Surf was expected to peak along the Kona coast at 12 feet on Saturday and 20 feet along the Ka’u and Puna shorelines.
South Point had a 20 percent chance of tropical storm conditions, Kailua-Kona was at 16 percent and Hilo at 8 percent Friday.
A 1- to 2-foot storm surge also is forecast, said Chris Brenchley, a meteorologist with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
The island is under a tropical storm watch, and a flash flood watch is effective from noon today to 6 p.m. Sunday, with up to 20 inches of rain predicted to fall along southeast slopes. Big Island leeward and southeast waters are under a tropical storm warning. Offshore waters are under a hurricane warning effective Friday afternoon.
Five emergency shelters were set to open at public schools on noon Friday: Kealakehe High, Konawaena High, Ka’u High and Pahala Elementary, Pahoa High and Waiakea High. The facilities provide only a safe place to ride out the storm and do not supply food or bedding.
“Bring your disaster supply kits and water, and if you have a pet, bring a crate,” said Barney Sheffield, Hawaii Island’s disaster manager for the American Red Cross. “Humane Society representatives will be on hand to help out with pets.”
“People need to be cautious and pay attention to what’s going on and listen to their radios,” Sheffield added.
Ana was circulating 75 mph winds and was located 175 miles southeast of South Point Friday morning AT 11 a.m., on a west-northwest track at 14 mph. The system was forecast to pass 135 miles south of the Big Island while peaking with 75 mph hurricane winds Friday evening and Saturday. At that time, the cyclone was expected to turn slightly northwest and decrease speed.
The latest track puts all of the main islands outside of a direct hit by Ana, but forecasters caution that could change with a shift in the track of a storm that has already proved unpredictable.
A team from Federal Emergency Management Agency is on the ground to coordinate with state and county officials on requests for assistance, according to a press release from the agency.
Residents are urged to keep a seven-day supply of food and water on hand and to make sure they have the medications and other emergency supplies they need.
