Hilda Coordination Continues Between Emergency Management Partners

Hilda satellite imagery Aug. 10, 2015. Image: NOAA/NWS/CPHC

By Maui Now Staff

***Today’s Hila forecast updates compiled by Maui Now Meteorologist Malika Dudley can be found HERE.

The Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency continues coordinated efforts with local emergency management and civil defense agencies, as well as federal and state partners in tracking Hurricane Hilda.

As of 5 a.m., the National Weather Service indicated that Hilda remained a Category 1 Hurricane and its center was located 425 miles southeast of Hilo.  Over the weekend, Hilda turned to the northwest, encountering an upper level jet, which resulted in weakening and slowing of the system.

Hilda forecast track as of 5 a.m. on Mon. Aug. 10, 2015. Image credit: NOAA/NWS/CPHC.

Although further weakening is expected, the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency says there is still a 10-15% chance of tropical storm force winds making landfall on Hawaiʻi Island.

“Expected impacts associated with Hilda include, advisory level surf along east facing shores beginning today, potentially heavy rains closer to the center of the system, thunderstorms, and gusty winds,” emergency management officials said.

Hilda is expected to make its closest approach to Hawaiʻi Island as a tropical depression late Wednesday or early Thursday, according to officials with the Hawaiʻi Emergency Management Agency.

Hawaiʻi residents and visitors are asked to take the following precautions:

• Continue to follow local reports for the latest information on Hilda;
• Be aware of flood safety recommendations; and
• Listen to ocean safety officials and exercise caution if entering the water as high surf messages are issued.

***Today’s Hila forecast updates compiled by Maui Now Meteorologist Malika Dudley can be found HERE.