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Hurricane Lane: Hawaii hit by flooding and landslides as storm nears | Hurricane Lane: Hawaii hit by flooding and landslides as storm nears |
(35 minutes later) | |
Hawaii has been hit with strong winds and torrential rain as Hurricane Lane approaches the US state, causing flash flooding and landslides. | Hawaii has been hit with strong winds and torrential rain as Hurricane Lane approaches the US state, causing flash flooding and landslides. |
Schools and offices were closed as residents took shelter from the storm, which was downgraded to category three strength on Thursday. | Schools and offices were closed as residents took shelter from the storm, which was downgraded to category three strength on Thursday. |
As the hurricane neared the islands of the Aloha state, it brought winds of 125 mph (200 km/h) and heavy rainfall. | As the hurricane neared the islands of the Aloha state, it brought winds of 125 mph (200 km/h) and heavy rainfall. |
President Donald Trump earlier declared a state of emergency for Hawaii. | President Donald Trump earlier declared a state of emergency for Hawaii. |
The White House said that federal authorities were on standby to provide support and supplies to local and state emergency response efforts. | |
While the storm has been downgraded, the situation remains "dangerous" and severe flooding is a "major concern", the National Weather Service (NWS) tweeted. | |
Meanwhile United Airlines said it had cancelled all Friday flights to and from the main airports on Maui, the second-largest island. | Meanwhile United Airlines said it had cancelled all Friday flights to and from the main airports on Maui, the second-largest island. |
How are residents coping? | How are residents coping? |
On the Big Island, where a hurricane warning was earlier issued by the NWS, more than 12in (30cm) of rain fell on Thursday. | |
Roads were closed due to the landslides and images of cars attempting to tackle the deep waters were posted on social media. | Roads were closed due to the landslides and images of cars attempting to tackle the deep waters were posted on social media. |
Residents in other areas of the Big Island, such as Hilo, were caught out by the flash floods with several vehicles becoming trapped. | Residents in other areas of the Big Island, such as Hilo, were caught out by the flash floods with several vehicles becoming trapped. |
A member of staff at a local service station in Haleiwa, on the north shore of Oahu island, told AFP news agency that motorists had been "constantly filling" their vehicles. | A member of staff at a local service station in Haleiwa, on the north shore of Oahu island, told AFP news agency that motorists had been "constantly filling" their vehicles. |
"Everybody is in a panic mode right now, everyone is filling up gas, gas cans, propane cans," he said. | "Everybody is in a panic mode right now, everyone is filling up gas, gas cans, propane cans," he said. |
A hurricane watch was also issued by the NWS for the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. | A hurricane watch was also issued by the NWS for the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai. |
Hawaii Governor David Ige urged residents to set aside supplies of water, food and medicines as a precaution and to avoid driving if possible. | |
Dozens of evacuation centres were also set up throughout the day as Mr Trump urged Hawaiians to hunker down and prepare for the worst. | Dozens of evacuation centres were also set up throughout the day as Mr Trump urged Hawaiians to hunker down and prepare for the worst. |
Does Hawaii see many hurricanes? | Does Hawaii see many hurricanes? |
In the state's history, only two storms of this strength have ever come within 350 miles (563 km) of the islands, according to the NWS. | In the state's history, only two storms of this strength have ever come within 350 miles (563 km) of the islands, according to the NWS. |
Hurricanes rarely hit the Central Pacific region, due to currents and water conditions. These storms have always been more common in the eastern US. | Hurricanes rarely hit the Central Pacific region, due to currents and water conditions. These storms have always been more common in the eastern US. |
According to NWS, only four named storms have made landfall in Hawaii since 1959 - and only two of those storms were hurricanes. | According to NWS, only four named storms have made landfall in Hawaii since 1959 - and only two of those storms were hurricanes. |
Hawaii generally sees about one storm strong enough to earn a name pass within 60 miles of the islands every four years. | Hawaii generally sees about one storm strong enough to earn a name pass within 60 miles of the islands every four years. |
Earlier this month, Hurricane Hector, a category four storm, also passed by the islands, though it did not come as close as Lane. | Earlier this month, Hurricane Hector, a category four storm, also passed by the islands, though it did not come as close as Lane. |
The state has also seen serious volcanic eruptions this summer, with lava and ash spewing from the Kilauea volcano on the Big Island since May. | The state has also seen serious volcanic eruptions this summer, with lava and ash spewing from the Kilauea volcano on the Big Island since May. |