MEDIA RELEASE

This is a Hurricane Felicia update for Friday afternoon, August 7, at 400.

Hurricane Felicia is now approximately 1190 miles East of Hawai’i Island. Felicia continues to move toward the west northwest at 14 miles per hour with maximum sustained winds of 100 miles per hour.

Due to preliminary forecasts by the National Weather Service, the following Hawai’i County Civil Defense advisories are issued:

Wave heights are forecasted to increase on our Eastern shores over the weekend. As a precaution all County beach parks between Whittington Beach Park in Ka’u and Laupahoehoe Beach Park in Hamakua will be closed from 2:30p.m. Sunday afternoon through Wednesday morning. Residents and beachgoers should be on the alert for sudden increases in surf heights.

Heavy rain is forecasted early in the work week. Take steps now to mitigate the effects of flooding to your property.

Hurricane Felicia is forecasted to weaken as it approaches the State of Hawai’i. While it is unknown at this time what effect wind will have on our island, as a precaution take steps now to secure loose objects outside your home.

Again, the National Weather Service continues to track Hurricane Felicia as it approaches the Hawaiian Islands. While there are no National Weather Service advisories in effect at this time, Hawai’i County Civil Defense advises residents to take the time to mitigate the effects of rain, wind, and surf to their property.

Updates will be issued as conditions change.