Hurricane Douglas Within 55 Miles of Kahului, Maui (Update: 11 a.m.)

July 26, 2020, 10:53 AM HST
* Updated July 26, 4:14 PM

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Douglas is now 55 miles ENE of Kahului, Maui and 140 miles E of Honolulu. It remains a Category 1 Hurricane with sustained winds near 85 mph.

The eye of Hurricane Douglas is being tracked by the North Kohala and Molokai WSR-88D radars as the tropical cyclone moves west-northwest at 16 mph. The track currently places the center of the system east of Maui County.

Hurricane Hunters from the Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron continue to conduct missions through Douglas and have observed Douglas experiencing southerly vertical wind shear.

Maui remains under a Hurricane Warning.

• Hurricane Douglas Within 65 Miles of Kahului, Maui (Update: 11 a.m.)
• 2020 Hurricane Season in Hawaiʻi
• Storm Prep and Kits
• Ige Issues Emergency Proclamation Ahead of Douglas
• Maui Mayor Issues Emergency Proclamation for Hurricane Douglas
• Mayor Victorino urges Maui to Prep for Potential Impacts
• Maui County Emergency Shelter Plans
• Maui Reminded to Conserve Water to Prevent Sewer Spills Due to Hurricane Douglas
• PresidentApproves Emergency Disaster Declaration for Hawaii

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11 a.m. Update: Sun Jul 26 2020

LOCATION…21.2N 155.7W
ABOUT 55 MI…90 KM ENE OF KAHULUI HAWAII
ABOUT 140 MI…230 KM E OF HONOLULU HAWAII
MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS…85 MPH…140 KM/H
PRESENT MOVEMENT…WNW OR 290 DEGREES AT 16 MPH…26 KM/H
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE…987 MB…29.15 INCHES

Watches/Warnings:

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for portions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for: Maui County, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe; Oahu; Kauai County, including the islands of Kauai and Niihau
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for: Hawaii County; and Portions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for: Portions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from French Frigate Shoals to Maro Reef

What it means:

A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case within the next 24 hours.
A Tropical Storm Warning means that tropical storm conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area, in this case imminently on Hawaii County and within the next 36 hours over portions of the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument from Nihoa to French Frigate Shoals.
A Tropical Storm Watch means that tropical storm conditions are possible within the watch area, in this case within the next 36 to 48 hours.

11 a.m. Forecast Discussion:

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At 1100 AM HST (2100 UTC), the center of Hurricane Douglas was located near latitude 21.2 North, longitude 155.7 West. Douglas is moving toward the west-northwest near 16 mph (26 km/h), and this motion is expected to continue over the next couple of days. On the forecast track, Douglas will pass near, or over, the islands from Maui to Kauai today and tonight.

Maximum sustained winds are near 85 mph (140 km/h) with higher gusts. Gradual weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, but Douglas is expected to remain a hurricane as it moves through the islands.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles (55 km) from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 115 miles (185 km).

The estimated minimum central pressure is 987 mb (29.15 inches).

Potential Impacts:

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WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in portions of Maui County today, on Oahu by this afternoon, and on Kauai and Niihau tonight. Tropical Storm conditions are imminent across portions of the Big Island. Due to the steep terrain of the islands, hurricane-force wind gusts are possible even within the tropical storm warning area.

SURF: Large swells generated by Douglas will affect the Hawaiian Islands into Monday, producing life-threatening and potentially destructive surf along exposed shores.

STORM SURGE: The combination of higher than predicted water levels, dangerous storm surge, and large breaking waves will raise water levels by as much as 3 feet above normal tides near the center of Douglas.

RAINFALL: Heavy rainfall associated with Douglas is expected to affect portions of the main Hawaiian Islands today into Monday. Total rain accumulations of 5 to 10 inches are possible from Maui County westward to Kauai County, with the greatest amounts up to 15 inches in elevated terrain. This rain may result in life-threatening flash flooding and land slides, as well as rapid water level rises on small streams. Douglas could produce an additional 2 to 4 inches of rainfall over the northern half of the Big Island.

Flood Advisory

A Flood Advisory is also in effect for Maui Island until 1 p.m. At 10:02 a.m., radar indicated heavy rain near Paia, falling at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour.

Locations in the advisory include but are not limited to: Haliimaile, Pauwela, Kipahulu, Makawao, Paia, Haiku-Pauwela, Huelo, Kula, Pukalani, Nahiku, Kaupo and Hana.

The public is reminded to stay away from streams, drainage ditches and low lying areas prone to flooding. Rainfall and runoff will also cause hazardous driving conditions due to ponding, reduced visibility and poor braking action.

*The next intermediate advisory will be issued at 2 p.m.; with a full forecast update at 5 p.m.