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Hurricane to hit Hawaiian island Hurricane to hit Hawaiian island
(about 10 hours later)
A state of emergency has been declared in Hawaii's Big Island as residents prepare for Hurricane Flossie which is due to bring high winds and heavy rain. Residents of Hawaii's Big Island are preparing for a storm system known as Hurricane Flossie which is due to bring high winds and heavy rain.
Schools are closed and the authorities have told islanders to stock up on food and water supplies. The authorities have declared a state of emergency and told islanders to stock up on food and water supplies.
Forecasters expect the eye of the hurricane to pass relatively close to Big Island later on Tuesday.Forecasters expect the eye of the hurricane to pass relatively close to Big Island later on Tuesday.
On Monday, an earthquake hit Big Island although there was little damage and no reported injuries. The maximum wind speed has weakened slightly and Flossie has been downgraded to a Category Two storm.
All 56 public schools, as well as private schools, have been closed. Forecasters have warned it will lash the shores with winds of up to 110mph (177km per hour) and cause 10 inches or more of rain to fall.
Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle has signed an emergency proclamation activating the National Guard.
It is thought that the Category Three storm will bring gusts of 110mph (177km per hour) and cause up to 15 inches of rain to fall. There are also fears of flash flooding.
The eye of the storm is expected to be just 100 miles (160km) from the islands.The eye of the storm is expected to be just 100 miles (160km) from the islands.
All 56 public schools on Big Island, as well as private schools, have been closed.
Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle has signed an emergency proclamation activating the National Guard.
The Big Island has a population of 150,000 people who live mainly away from the south which is expected to be hardest hit by the hurricane. Other islands are expected to get less wind and rain.The Big Island has a population of 150,000 people who live mainly away from the south which is expected to be hardest hit by the hurricane. Other islands are expected to get less wind and rain.
On Monday, an earthquake hit Big Island but caused little damage and no reported injuries.
The last time Hawaii was visited by a hurricane was in 1992 when the island of Kauai was struck. Six people died and $2.5bn (£1.25bn) worth of damage was caused.The last time Hawaii was visited by a hurricane was in 1992 when the island of Kauai was struck. Six people died and $2.5bn (£1.25bn) worth of damage was caused.