Hawaii County Civil Defense 5:45 p.m. message on Hurricane Guillermo

Guillermo is now a Category Two Hurricane according to the National Hurricane Center. Guillermo is forecast to become a major hurricane (Category Three) by Saturday (Aug 1).

As of 5 p.m. HST Friday (July 31) Hurricane Guillermo was located 1,325 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaii with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 25 miles (35 km) from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km).

Although forecasts are for Guillermo to weaken to a Tropical Storm when it reaches Hawaii strong winds, rains and ocean surf may create dangerous conditions.

It should be noted that Iselle was a Tropical Storm when it reached Hawaii Island in 2014, it was not a hurricane, yet it caused considerable damage due to the strong winds. The time to prepare is now.

For a reminder of how to prepare during this hurricane system read these tips by HELCO or go to our ‘Be Prepared’ menu near the top of this page for hurricane information.

Hurricane Guillermo follows ‘hurricane alley’ across the Eastern Pacific on track towards Hawaii. Video of GOES-15 Satellite imagery via NOAA-NASA GOES Project

Full earth image taken at 8 p.m. HST Friday, July 31, 2015. Photo courtesy of NOAA-NASA GOES Project

2014 Path for Tropical Storm Iselle (formerly Hurricane Iselle) which made landfall on Hawaii Island

The National Hurricane Center Tropical Cyclone Report for Hurricane Iselle in 2014. The path for Hurricane Iselle which was a Tropical Storm when it made landfall on Hawaii Island.