Tropical Storm Ana on Track to Become Hurricane

5-day track of Tropical Storm Ana, 10/14/14. Image courtesy NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

By Wendy Osher

Tropical Storm Ana is expected to become a hurricane by Wednesday, and maintain its strength as it approaches the state on Saturday, according to information released by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

The agency’s 5-day storm track places the system along the south edge of Hawaiʻi Island on Saturday, Oct. 18, and south of Maui County on Sunday morning, Oct. 19, 2014.

As of 11 a.m. HST today (Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2014), Tropical Storm Ana was located: 815 miles ESE of Hilo; 935 miles ESE of Kahului, Maui; 985 miles ESE of Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi; 960 miles ESE of Lānaʻi City; and 1030 miles ESE of Honolulu, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

Tropical Storm Ana, 10/14/14. Satellite imagery courtesy NOAA/NWS.

Agency officials say the system is moving toward the west-northwest near 8 mph, has maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.

According to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, Tropical Storm Ana is projected to strengthen over the next 2 days as it tracks toward the state.

When a hurricane poses a threat, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center advises the public to monitor radio or television stations for the latest National Weather Service advisories, as well as any special instructions from Civil Defense.

The agency notes that hurricanes can cause power failures and cut off, or contaminate water supplies.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency lists the following recommended items for a basic emergency supply kit:

• Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three days, for drinking and sanitation
• Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Manual can opener for food
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar charger

Once you have gathered the supplies for a basic emergency kit, FEMA suggests you may want to consider adding the other following items:

• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food and extra water for your pet
• Cash or traveler’s checks and change
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container. You can use the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit – EFFAK (PDF – 977Kb) developed by Operation Hope, FEMA and Citizen Corps to help you organize your information.
• Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or free information from this web site. (See Publications)
• Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
• Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper – When diluted, nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
• Fire extinguisher
• Matches in a waterproof container
• Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
• Mess kits, paper cups, plates, paper towels and plastic utensils
• Paper and pencil
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

The American Red Cross lists the following tips to prepare for a hurricane:

• Listen to a NOAA Weather Radio for critical information from the National Weather Service (NWS).
• Check your disaster supplies. Replace or restock as needed.
• Bring in anything that can be picked up by the wind (bicycles, lawn furniture).
• Close your windows, doors and hurricane shutters. If you do not have hurricane shutters, close and board up all windows and doors with plywood.
• Turn your refrigerator and freezer to the coldest setting. Keep them closed as much as possible so that food will last longer if the power goes out.
• Turn off propane tank.
• Unplug small appliances.
• Fill your car’s gas tank.
• Create a hurricane evacuation plan with members of your household. Planning and practicing your evacuation plan minimizes confusion and fear during the event.
• Find out about your community’s hurricane response plan. Plan routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs and make plans for your pets to be cared for.
• Obey evacuation orders. Avoid flooded roads and washed out bridges.