Hurricane Hone is gradually moving away from the Big Island but will still bring gusty winds and widespread rain to the region. It strengthened into a Category 1 storm with maximum sustained winds of up to 85 mph. The storm is moving west at 8 mph and a tropical storm warning remains in effect for Hawaii County. Residents could see 6 to 12 inches of rain, with an additional 3 to 5 inches in south-facing slopes, leading to flooding. “Life-threatening” surf is also expected. Most of the island, including Hilo and Waimea, is covered in flash flood warnings. Flights are being canceled at Hilo International Airport, and more than 24,000 utility customers are without power on the Big Island. Social media videos show trees shaking in the wind amid heavy downpour. The storm is expected to continue moving west for the next few days, bringing impacts to the region.
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Hurricane Hone causes heavy rain and destructive winds on Hawaii’s Big Island
