UPDATE: Hawaii Prepares for Hurricane Ana

The Associated Press
Published: October 18,2014


 
Ana strengthened to a Category 1 hurricane on Friday with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph.
As of 11 a.m. Hawaii time (5 p.m. Eastern time), Hurricane Ana was located about 230 miles south of Hilo, Hawaii, on the eastern coast of the Big Island, and 380 miles south-southeast of Honolulu, according to a weather service alert. A Tropical Storm Watch is in now effect for the entire state.
The storm, which is moving north-northwest at about 14 mph, is on track to pass about 115 miles south of the Big Island very early Saturday morning, then south of Maui, Molokai, Lani and Kahoolawe Saturday evening Hawaii Time. Sunday is likely the closest approach to Oahu; emergency shelters on the island will open Saturday, Hawaii News Now reports.
Gov. Neil Abercrombie declared a state of emergency for the entire state, but the Big Island will see the earliest impacts starting Friday night local time. Shelters in Hawaii County opened at noon, while public schools, county beaches, state parks and libraries on the Big Island remaining closed. Several airlines, including United Airlines and Island Air, canceled flights, though a spokeswoman for the Hawaii Transportation Department said there are currently no plans to close airports unless conditions worsen. The Coast Guard said it planned to keep open the harbors and ports, too.
(MORE: Just How Rare Is a Tropical Triple Threat for Hawaii?)
Ana is the third tropical system to threaten Hawaii in 2014 — a rarity. Iselle hit as a Tropical Storm Aug. 8, knocking out power to thousands and saddling some areas with more than 14 inches of rain. A few days later, Hurricane Julio threatened, but ultimately passed north.
This time, Ana is likely will bring 40 to 50 mph winds to the Big Island's Kau, Puna and South Kona districts. Power outages and downed trees are possible. High surf is also part of the mixture.
The Hawaii Tribune-Herald reports people living in flood-prone areas in Hawaii County were urged to move to higher ground, though no mandatory evacuations have been ordered yet.
The soil in the Kau district already is heavily saturated from recent thunderstorms, raising the risk of flooding there.
(WATCH: Major Hurricane Heading for Bermuda)
The weather service issued a flash flood watch for the entire state from Friday through Sunday, indicating possible flooding anywhere in the archipelago, said Chris Brenchley, a weather service meteorologist. Between 5 and 10 inches of rain may fall, though locally some areas could get 20 inches or more, he said.
Ana could also bring 40 to 50 mph winds to Oahu — home to Honolulu, the state's biggest city — and Kauai. Gusts could reach up to 75 mph near the storm's center.
Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Jr. on Thursday proclaimed an emergency to help his county respond to storm damage on Kauai and Niihau islands.
State officials and Civil Air Patrol personnel have hiked and flown to Kalalau Valley, Polihale and other remote parts of Kauai to tell campers about the approaching storm, the county said.