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Hurricane to hit Hawaiian island Hawaii island spared by hurricane
(about 5 hours later)
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. Strong winds and powerful waves have hit the Big Island of Hawaii as a weakening hurricane travels to the south of the US Pacific state.
The authorities have declared a state of emergency and told islanders to stock up on food and water supplies. US weather experts said Hurricane Flossie, now a Category 2 storm, was no longer expected to make landfall.
Forecasters expect the eye of the hurricane to pass relatively close to Big Island later on Tuesday. Nevertheless, authorities declared a state of emergency and told islanders to stock up on food and water supplies.
The maximum wind speed has weakened slightly and Flossie has been downgraded to a Category Two storm. The storm, with winds of 160km/h (100mph), is expected to pass some 150km (90 miles) south of the island.
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. Sustained winds of up to 80km/h (50mph) were reported, as well as waves standing about 8m (25ft) tall.
The eye of the storm is expected to be just 100 miles (160km) from the islands. Quake
All 56 public schools on Big Island, as well as private schools, have been closed.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. Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle signed an emergency proclamation activating the National Guard before the storm arrived.
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, most of whom live away from the area expected to endure the worst of the weather. Other islands in Hawaii's Pacific Island archipelago were less affected by the storm.
On Monday, an earthquake hit Big Island but caused little damage and no reported injuries. The hurricane followed a magnitude 5.6 earthquake on the Big Island on Monday that 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. Hurricanes are rare in Hawaii, which lies in the heart of the Pacific Ocean.
The last time Hawaii was affected was in 1992 when the island of Kauai was struck. Six people died and the island suffered $2.5bn (£1.25bn) worth of damage.