Hurricane Guillermo Continues to Move WNW

Guillermo Update, 8/2/15, 11 a.m. HST. Image courtesy NOAA/NWS/CPHC

By Maui Now Staff

At 11 a.m. HST, Hurricane Guillermo was 785 miles east-southeast of Hilo, Hawaiʻi moving toward the west-northwest at 10 mph, and is beginning to weaken.  Maximum sustained winds were last tracked at 90 mph.

Guillermo is forecast to continue moving toward the west-northwest through Monday night, with some slight decrease in forward speed expected starting later today or tonight, county officials said.

Some slow weakening is expected during the next couple of days, and Guillermo may begin impacting Maui County as a tropical storm on Wednesday, according to county authorities.

“It’s important for everyone to take advantage of the lead time we have ahead of this storm to make their preparations. Tropical cyclones bring a triple threat of wind, heavy rains and battering surf and we need to prepare for any impacts that may occur,” said Emergency Management Officer Anna Foust in a county press release.

The public is advised to: secure or move inside any loose objects that may become airborne; clean out gutters and other drainage ways that may become clogged with debris and exacerbate flooding; and stock up on your emergency kit supplies and be prepared for possible power outages.

KEEP IN MIND: It is important not to focus too closely on the exact forecast track of Guillermo. It is still too soon to determine with any certainty which islands would be most likely to experience the greatest impacts from the storm. It is also important to note that significant impacts from tropical cyclones can extend well away from the center of the storm.

Maui Civil Defense Agency, County, State and Federal partners are in close contact with the Central Pacific Hurricane Center and are actively monitoring the situation. As the storm nears the Hawaiian Islands, listen to local media for specific information regarding shelter openings and any cancellations.

PREPARE: Take this time to review your emergency kit and plans. Navigate to mauicounty.gov/civildefense or www.ready.gov for additional preparedness information and tips.

STAY INFORMED: Maui Civil Defense Agency will continue to monitor the situation and notify the public if we are placed into a watch or warning.  Also, follow our Maui Now updates at mauinow.com, and our facebook site as Maui Now meteorologist Malika Dudley brings us the latest on the system.  Our Pacific Media Group radio stations are also prepare to issue advisories for severe weather.

• Continue to tune in to local broadcasts for information and instructions on Guillermo.  Updates are being posted in the upper portion of our website by Maui Now Meteorologist Malika Dudley.  Pacific Media Group’s six Maui radio stations will also be providing updates as warranted at the following frequencies: KPOA 92.5 FM; NATIVE 92.5 FM; KISS FM Maui 99.9 FM; Da Jam 98.3 FM, ESPN 900 AM; and KNUI 550 AM.