Many flights to and from Hawaii are canceled. Sirens wailed while workers piled sandbags in front of hotels and police blared warnings to tourists to leave the world-famous Waikiki Beach as Hurricane Lane barreled north after dumping nearly 2 feet of rain on Hawaii’s mostly rural Big Island.
Flight cancellations announced earlier today have resulted in travelers going to airports statewide to depart Hawaii earlier than scheduled without having a confirmed ticket.
The Hawaii State Department of Transportation (DOT) and Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA) are advising travelers to have confirmed tickets for flights scheduled that day before going to the airport. Customers wanting to make adjustments to their travel schedule should call their respective airlines to rebook flights first, then proceed to the airport.
For example, Kahului Airport (OGG) is currently assisting roughly 60 travelers who came to the airport seeking to leave the island ahead of their regularly scheduled departures. Unfortunately, with changes to the schedule of outgoing flights, those passengers will likely have to shelter in place at the airport overnight unless they can secure temporary lodging accommodations.
Travelers whose flights have been canceled and have not checked out of their accommodations should continue to shelter in place, if possible, or consider seeking safety at the nearest emergency shelter.
The current situation is in full action on the Island of Hawaii.
Latest update from the Island of Hawai.
Latest update from the Island of Hawai.
Police and fire personnel recommending people evacuate an area of Hilo along the Wailuku River due to increased risk of flooding #hurricanelane
Fallen trees caused power outages in upcountry and west #MauiEe, @MauiElectric has most customers restored except for Kula, Olinda and Piiholo. #HurricaneLane #Alohastaark Stay safe. Be vigilant. #HIGov
In the meantime the National Weather Service announced this afternoon that Hurricane Lane has been downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane and will continue to be weakened and slowed in the coming days by the combined effects of a strong wind shear and trade winds.
George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, advised residents and visitors to remain vigilant about staying safe at all times and not be fooled into thinking the hurricane is anything less than a dangerous threat to people’s lives and property.
“No one should get complacent about Hurricane Lane until the all clear message has been delivered,” said Szigeti. “This is a very unpredictable hurricane that has already battered the island of Hawaii’s east side with drenching rain and flooding damage. Residents and visitors statewide need to follow the advice of our civil defense officials to shelter in place, be careful and stay safe.”
The massive hurricane continues to pose a significant threat in making its slow pass close to the south shores of the Hawaiian Islands, causing extremely high winds, torrential rainfall, flash flooding and dangerous surf conditions.
As of 8:00 p.m. HST, the center of Hurricane Lane was approximately 230 miles south of Honolulu and moving in a north-northwest direction at 6 miles per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 120 miles per hour.
Hurricane Lane has nearly completed its pass south of the island of Hawaii and began passing Maui, Lanai and Molokai this afternoon. Because the hurricane’s progress has slowed considerably, it is now projected to begin its pass of Oahu by mid-day Friday and Kauai late Friday.
As the hurricane moves in a northerly direction it will continue to encounter the strong wind shear and trade winds that are moving in a southward direction.
Awunner a Besucher ginn ugeroden sech op der Plaz ze schützen wärend Hurricane Lane d'Hawaiian Inselen passéiert an Zougang zu enger 14 Deeg Versuergung vu Liewensmëttel a Waasser ze hunn. Ënnerdaach ginn statewide opgemaach fir déi, déi d'Iwwerschwemmungszongebidder evakuéiere mussen. Eng Oplëschtung vun Zelter ass hei ënnen, zesumme mat Ressourcen fir Informatiounen iwwer Hurricane Lane, a Zoumaache vu Parken, Attraktiounen a Stroossen.
Visiteuren plangen ze reesen oder déi schonn hei an der Hawaiian Inselen sinn soll hir Fluchgesellschafte Kontakt, Ënnerkunft an Aktivitéit Ubidder fir Informatiounen iwwert virbereet ginn an Upassung ze reesen Pläng maachen wéi néideg.
WAT VUN DESEN ARTIKEL WEI HUELEN:
- In the meantime the National Weather Service announced this afternoon that Hurricane Lane has been downgraded to a Category 3 hurricane and will continue to be weakened and slowed in the coming days by the combined effects of a strong wind shear and trade winds.
- Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, advised residents and visitors to remain vigilant about staying safe at all times and not be fooled into thinking the hurricane is anything less than a dangerous threat to people's lives and property.
- Awunner a Besucher ginn ugeroden sech op der Plaz ze schützen wärend Hurricane Lane d'Hawaiian Inselen passéiert an Zougang zu enger 14 Deeg Versuergung vu Liewensmëttel a Waasser ze hunn.
