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Hurricane Iselle to hit Hawaii on Thursday Rare tropical storm batters Hawaii
(about 13 hours later)
Hawaiians are bracing for a rare direct tropical cyclone hit as Hurricane Iselle threatens the US island chain. A rare tropical storm battering Hawaii has already caused power blackouts and blocked roads on one island, but no deaths have been reported.
The hurricane is 195 miles (315km) east of Hilo and is expected to make landfall on Thursday afternoon. Iselle made landfall early on Friday morning on the chain's Big Island, shortly after it was downgraded from hurricane to tropical storm.
Iselle has maximum sustained winds of 75mph (121 km/h), but the storm is expected to weaken overnight as it passes over the state's Big Island. But Hurricane Julio, a Category 3 storm with winds of more than 120mph, is about 1,000 miles (1,609km) away.
Hawaiian officials have urged residents to stock up on emergency supplies in the remote US state. Hawaiian officials have urged residents to stock up on emergency supplies.
Another Pacific storm, Hurricane Julio, is strengthening but is too far out to determine whether it will hit the islands in the next few days.
Julio is now a category two storm, with maximum sustained winds of 105mph, as of Thursday morning.
The last cyclone to hit Hawaii, Hurricane Iniki in 1992, killed six and caused $2.4bn (£1.4bn) in damage.The last cyclone to hit Hawaii, Hurricane Iniki in 1992, killed six and caused $2.4bn (£1.4bn) in damage.
Hawaii County, known as the Big Island, is under a hurricane warning. The rest of the state remains on a tropical storm warning.
Five to eight inches of rain are forecast, along with heavy winds and potential flash flooding in some parts of the state.Five to eight inches of rain are forecast, along with heavy winds and potential flash flooding in some parts of the state.
Wave swells of 15ft (4.5m) to 25ft were expected on the Big Island, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. The storm was weakening as it hit the terrain of the eastern-most island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, according to Chris Brenchley, a National Weather Service meteorologist in Honolulu.
National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Cantin said the size and terrain of the Big Island would help weaken Iselle into a tropical storm as it passes Maui and Oahu. "As wind blows into the terrain, the terrain kind of redirects the wind," he said.
"The volcanoes on the Big Island will do a number on the system," he said.
The state's department of emergency management has asked residents to prepare a seven-day emergency kit, including non-perishable food and water.The state's department of emergency management has asked residents to prepare a seven-day emergency kit, including non-perishable food and water.
Hawaii's remoteness from the mainland makes it hard to get emergency supplies to the state. Stores have had to quickly restock bottled water and other supplies.Hawaii's remoteness from the mainland makes it hard to get emergency supplies to the state. Stores have had to quickly restock bottled water and other supplies.
Oahu resident Andrea Geron told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser her family had already packed bags in case they needed to evacuate. The storm has already knocked out power for more than 18,000 people on the Big Island, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Another 2,700 were without power on the island of Maui.
"The totes [bags] are just inside the door, ready to grab and go," she told the newspaper. "As long as you're prepared and listen to the warnings, you'll be okay." At least 50 flights from major airlines were canceled on Thursday and an inter-island airline cancelled all of its flights on Friday.
An inter-island airline cancelled flights on Thursday between Maui and Lanai islands and all flights on Friday. Rudy Cruz and Ashley Dochnahl from California told the Associated Press they had attempted to fly back early but failed to secure a flight.
And schools on the Big Island, Maui, Molokai and Lanai will be closed on Thursday. "We were trying to beat it, but we now will have to ride it out," Mr Cruz said.
Big Island resident Andrew Fujimura said the waves were topping 20ft (6m) along the coast.
"I can't say I'm too worried," he said. "Worst-case scenario, the power may go out a day or two. But we're prepared for that kind of stuff out here."
Are you in Hawaii? Have you made preparations for the hurricane? You can email using 'Hurricane Iselle' in the subject.Are you in Hawaii? Have you made preparations for the hurricane? You can email using 'Hurricane Iselle' in the subject.
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