Hurricane Lane, a Monster Category 5 Storm, Barrels Toward Hawaii [View all]
By Yasemin Saplakoglu, Staff Writer | August 22, 2018 07:59am ET
Yesterday (Aug. 21), Hurricane Lane was bumped up to a Category 5 storm the highest ranking assigned to a storm based on wind speeds and expected damage. [Hurricane Season 2018: How Long It Lasts and What to Expect]
A hurricane warning is in place for Hawaii County on the Big Island, while a hurricane watch is in effect over Maui County and all of Oahu, according to the National Weather Service. All of Hawaii is under a flash flood watch.
The storm is currently southeast of the Hawaiian Islands and is expected to turn northwest and pass the south-southeastern part of the Big Island tonight (Aug. 22). Damaging winds from the storm could hit the Big Island as early as this afternoon. But the center of the storm, carrying maximum winds of around 160 mph (257 km/h), is expected to move "dangerously close" to the main Hawaiian Islands Thursday through Saturday (Aug. 23 to Aug. 25), according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Over 20 inches (50 centimeters) of rainfall as well as flooding, tornadoes and high surf are possible, according to NOAA.
https://www.livescience.com/63399-hurricane-lane-threatens-hawaii.html