Maui Begins Hurricane Prep Ahead of Madeline

Madeline forecast track. Image NOAA/NWS/CPHC.

The Maui County Civil Defense Agency today urged residents to begin making preparations for dangerous surf impacting shorelines, high winds and heavy rain as Hurricane Madeline continues to make its way toward the Hawaiian Islands.

A second storm system, Lester, is currently a hurricane in the Eastern Pacific and while a large degree of uncertainty exists, County officials say it is imperative that residents exercise caution in advance of the storms.

“It’s important that our community pays close attention to the two hurricanes that are rapidly approaching our islands,” said Anna Foust, Maui County Emergency Management Officer. “The recent storm systems that have passed through our state have given us ample opportunity to prepare for bad weather, but instead of being complacent, now is the time to plan for the worst while hoping for the best.”

Madeline satellite imagery 8.29.16. Image NOAA/NWS/CPHC.

In preparation for the storm, residents are urged to assemble emergency kits and be prepared with seven days of food, water, medicine and other emergency supplies. Other storm-prep tasks include:

– Monitoring media for the most recent updates on storm conditions;
– Signing up for Maui County Emergency Alerts to receive official information;
– Securing any loose objects on property that could become airborne; and
– Having an evacuation plan ready and identifying a safe location to wait out the storm. This is especially important for anyone living in a flood area, in case it becomes necessary to leave their home.

A full list of preparedness tips can be found at www.mauicounty.gov/civildefense.

High winds may cause widespread power outages; to report a fallen power line or outage, contact Maui Electric’s trouble line at (808) 871-7777. For residents on Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi, call toll free: 1 (877) 871-8461.

5 p.m. 8.29.16 Forecast Update:

At 5 p.m. HST, the center of Hurricane Madeline was located near latitude 18.9 North, longitude 146.3 West. Madeline is moving toward the west-northwest near 10 mph (17 km/h). A gradual turn toward the west is expected by Tuesday, with Madeline expected to move west-southwest Tuesday night into Wednesday. Little change in forward speed is expected the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of Madeline will pass dangerously close to the Big Island Wednesday and Wednesday night.

Maximum sustained winds are near 125 mph (205 km/h) with higher gusts. Madeline is a category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Little change in intensity is expected tonight, with gradual weakening forecast Tuesday and Wednesday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 30 miles (45 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 125 miles(205 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 955 mb (28.20 inches).

5 p.m. 8.29.16 Forecast Discussion:

Madeline continues on a rapid intensification trend that began yesterday evening. Current satellite images depict a strong and well-organized major hurricane, with clouds having cleared the eye a short while ago. A ring of deep convection totally encircles the newly-cleared eye, with eyewall cloud top temperatures on the order of -70 degrees Celsius. The Dvorak intensity estimates ranged from 5.5/102 kt to 6.0/115 kt, and ADT from UW-CIMSS indicated a current intensity near 110 kt. Based on the improved satellite presentation from the previous advisory, and a blend of the fix data, the initial intensity for this advisory has been increased to 110 kt. Hurricane hunters from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron are slated to begin flying investigative flights into Madeline Tuesday morning, which will give us valuable information as to Madeline’s actual intensity and size. (-Forecaster Birchard/Central Pacific Hurricane Center)