Ana hit hurricane strength and the island began to feel the first effects of the cyclone Friday. The forecast track has continued to shift the brunt of the storm to the south of the island, but heavy rain and high winds were still possible for south- and west-facing districts today.
“We’re looking at 30 to 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 running 10 to 15 feet at South Point and winds were gusting to 40 mph Friday afternoon. Conditions were expected to deteriorate further as the evening progressed, and Kailua-Kona was projected to feel the strongest effects of Ana around 2 a.m. Saturday. Surf was expected to peak along the Ka‘u and Puna shorelines at 20 feet.
“We’re going to continue to monitor (the surf) as it comes around to the Kona side, the surf could be 6 to 8 feet or maybe higher on the west side,” Hawaii County Civil Defense Administrator Darryl Oliveira said at a 3 p.m. press briefing. “Also, we’re looking at satellite imagery, and there is still a lot of moisture yet to approach the island, and in areas like Ka‘u and Kona, it doesn’t take much for flooding problems.”
A flash flood watch for Hawaii Island is in effect through Sunday, with up to 12 inches of rain for southern and western portions of the island in the forecast. A tropical storm watch has been posted for the Big Island and windward waters, and a tropical storm warning is in effect for Big Island leeward and southeast waters.
South Point had a 35 percent chance of tropical storm conditions, Kailua-Kona was at 26 percent and Hilo at 9 percent, according to the National Weather Service.
Five emergency shelters were opened at public schools at 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 80 mph winds and was located 155 miles west-southwest of Kailua-Kona on Saturday morning, on a northwest track at 13 mph. Hurricane force winds extended outward 25 miles and tropical storm force winds reached 105 miles from the center.
The system was forecast to pass 150 miles south of the Big Island while peaking with 85 mph winds Friday night and Saturday. At that time, the cyclone was expected to turn slightly northwest, decreasing its forward speed and then weakening to a tropical storm as it continues about 175 miles southwest of the rest of the island chain Saturday night and Sunday.
Warmer waters were expected the give Ana a bump in the short term, but increased shear was slated to begin working against the system later Saturday.
A ridge of high pressure to the north of the islands has kept Ana on a more westward track than forecasters had originally predicted. The unexpected strength of the ridge has kept the storm from turning north and threatening the islands as quickly as thought, Lau said.
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 course of a storm that has already proved unpredictable.
The state Department of Land and Natural Resources shut down all small boat harbors on Hawaii Island on Friday evening until further notice. A team from the 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 medications and other emergency supplies.
Gabriella Bodor of Budapest and a companion had reserved a cabin at Hapuna Beach and ended up at the Kealakehe High shelter Friday evening for lack of an affordable alternative.
“We were following the weather and it mixed things up,” Bodor said. “The news is changing all the time.”
Stephens Media reporter Colin Stewart contributed to this report.
