Hurricanes Present Potential for Heavy Weather in Maui County

Maui County residents and visitors are urged to remain vigilant as two systems are being tracked in the Pacific.

Hurricane Erick continues on a track south of Hawaiʻi on Thursday night, and the latest forecast cone places Flossie near the islands with potential impacts early next week.

Erick was still listed as a Category 3 Hurricane this morning, but is on a slow weakening trend and is expected to pass south of Hawaiʻi County on Thursday night, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecast.

Flossie weakened into a tropical storm today, but is expected to re-strengthen later this week, becoming a hurricane again in a few days, according to the National Hurricane Center.

County officials say possible heavy weather impacts to Maui County could beginning on Thursday night and into Friday night. Potential impacts include heavy rain, flash flooding, high surf for east-facing shores and strong, enhanced trade winds.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for the Big Island from Thursday afternoon through Saturday morning. “The main flooding impacts are expected to occur from Hilo to Naʻalehu, with lower flooding potential elsewhere on the Big Island,” according to the NWS.

For area waters, there is a Tropical Storm Warning in effect for waters south of the Big Island and a Small Craft Advisory for Maui’s Māʻalaea Bay as well as the Pailolo and ʻAlenuihāhā channels.

“We continue to monitor both hurricanes and department preparations are already underway,” said Herman Andaya, Maui Emergency Management Agency Administrator. “We’ve held operational briefings with federal, state, county and nongovernmental agencies throughout the week, as well as participated in video conference briefings with Gov. David Ige, Mayor Victorino and the National Weather Service.

“We would like to remind everyone to remain vigilant, stay informed and prepare your household and families for these hurricanes.”

Maui Electric Co. is reminding the public to call-in power outages to their Trouble Line at (808) 871-7777.

“I am encouraged by the recent reports of the weakening of Hurricane Erick,” Mayor Michael Victorino said. “However, Flossie is still headed directly toward us so I ask all of us to make a plan and stay out of harm’s way.”

Five day forecast cone for Erick. PC: (7.31.19) NOAA/National Hurricane Center.

Five day forecast cone for Flossie. PC: (7.31.19) NOAA/National Hurricane Center.