Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi talks about the dangers from Tropical Storm/Hurricane Ana

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National Weather Service Map

The National Weather Service in Honolulu reports that at 11 p.m. Thursday (Oct 16) Tropical Storm Ana has maximum sustained winds near 65 mph with higher gusts. Ana may become a hurricane on Friday (Oct 17), slight weakening is expected on Saturday.

Tropical Storm force winds are currently extending outward up to 70 miles from the center of the system. Ana is moving West-Northwest near 12 mph and is forecast to pass near the Big Island Friday night and Saturday.

Wind Forecast
Tropical storm conditions are possible on the Big Island of Hawaii starting Friday night.

Surf Forecast
Large swells produced by Ana are expected to build over the eastern end of the main Hawaiian island chain through Friday morning. These large swells will continue to spread up the island chain through the weekend. Surf produced by these swells could potentially be damaging along exposed South and Southeast shorelines beginning late Friday and Saturday, and persisting through the weekend in some areas.

Rainfall Forecast
Heavy rainfall associated with Ana may reach the Big Island of Hawaii Friday afternoon, with total rain accumulations between 6 and 12 inches expected. Heavy rain could potentially affect the other islands Saturday and Sunday. This rainfall could cause life-threatening flash floods and mud slides.

Hawaii County Civil Defense Message for 12 noon Thursday (Oct 16).

The National Weather Service Tropical Storm Watch for Hawaii Island remains in effect.

Due to the possible impacts of storm conditions and to insure the safety of our community the following closures and actions will be taken. Effective tomorrow, Friday October 17th the following parks will be closed:

• All county beach parks and all state parks
• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

In addition, the following school closures will be implemented effective tomorrow, Friday, October 17th:

• All public and charter schools
• St. Joseph School
• Kamehameha Schools Hawai’i Campus and all Kamehameha Preschools

Additionally, all inter-scholastic athletic events and student activities are canceled beginning today, through the weekend, resuming when schools reopen.

For schools not listed please contact that campus or school directly for further information.

Additional updates will be broadcasted as information becomes available.

Learn about hurricanes and how to prepare here: https://hawaii247.com/national-weather-service-on-hurricanes/

For a reminder of how to prepare for a possible hurricane read this or go to our ‘Be Prepared’ menu near the top of this page.

See current Central Pacific Hurricane Center tracking map here.

For links to the latest weather forecasts, reports, radar and satellite imagery visit our Weather Page at https://hawaii247.com/weather/

Full disk image taken of Earth at 8 p.m. HST, October 16, 2014. Click on image for larger view. Image courtesy of NOAA-NASA GOES Project