Lester maintains Category 2 strength, Hurricane Watch discontinued for Hawaii Island

• 8 years ago

6:30 p.m. Hawaii County Civil Defense audio update on Lester

The Hurricane Watch has been discontinued for Hawaii County.

SUMMARY OF WATCHES AND WARNINGS IN EFFECT:

A Hurricane Watch is in effect for…

• Maui County including the islands of Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe
• Oahu

A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. In this case, conditions are possible in the next 18 to 36 hours.

Interests elsewhere in the Hawaiian Islands should monitor the progress of Lester.

For storm information specific to your area, please monitor products issued by the National Weather Service office in Honolulu, Hawaii.

At 11 p.m. HST Friday (Sep 2), the center of Hurricane Lester was located by U.S. Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter aircraft about 205 miles (325 km) east-northeast of Hilo, Hawaii. Lester is moving toward the west-northwest near 15 mph (24 km/h). This general motion is expected to continue through Saturday night with a gradual turn toward the northwest expected on Sunday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph (155 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 45 miles (75 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 150 miles (240 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 982 mb (29.00 inches).

High Surf Advisory and Warning

The National Weather Service forecasts that surf heights of 15-25 feet are expected for Big Island east-facing shores.

• High Surf Advisory for east facing shores of the island of Hawaii effective until 6 p.m. this evening.
• High Surf Warning will be in effect for east facing shores from 6 p.m. this evening until 6 p.m. Saturday evening. Surf heights of 15-25 feet are expected.

Hazards Affecting Land

WIND: Hurricane conditions are possible over Maui County and Oahu late Saturday or Saturday night, and tropical storm conditions are possible as early as Saturday afternoon.

SURF: Large swells generated by Lester will build across Hawaiian waters tonight and Saturday. Surf generated by these swells will peak during the weekend across the main Hawaiian Islands, becoming very large and possibly damaging along exposed shorelines.

RAIN: Heavy rains associated with Lester may impact Maui county and Oahu Saturday and Sunday.

National Weather Service Presentation on Hurricanes.

HELCO Reminds Customers to Prepare for Hurricane Season

In preparation for Hurricane Lester, the public is advised to be StormReady

• Build or restock your emergency preparedness kit.
• Include a flashlight with fresh batteries, cash, first aid supplies, and any medication or supplies specific to you or your family members.
• Plan how to communicate with family members.
• Create an evacuation plan for your household.
• Bring in or secure outdoor furniture and other items that could blow away.
• Keep your vehicle fueled and cell phone charged.
• To help preserve water availability through the storm, the Department of Water Supply asks customers to minimize non-essential use of water, such as irrigation, at this time.

Find more StormReady tips and sign up for notifications at http://hawaiicounty.gov

Public schools reopen Friday (Sept 2) on Hawaii Island

DLNR keeps areas closed due to Hurricane Lester’s approach

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