Hurricane Tracker

Currently, the HING has over 700 personnel executing specific duties for the counties and state in addressing COVID-19 needs. With the arrival of Douglas, the HING is standing by to respond to two fronts at the same time.

Q&A with Chris Brenchley Meteorologist in Charge at the Central Pacific Hurricane Center The questions were answered as part of the 5 p.m. update for Friday, July 24, 2020.

Numerous Hawai‘i State Parks and park activities are being closed until after Tropical Cyclone Douglas has cleared the state.  All State Parks on Maui will be closed on Saturday, July 25, until an all clear has been given and storm damage assessments have been conducted.

Hawaiian Airlines is canceling all Neighbor Island flights on Sunday, in addition to select flights Saturday evening between Honolulu and Maui and the Island of Hawaiʻi, due to adverse weather expected from Hurricane Douglas.

Beginning Saturday, all County of Maui facilities, including County parks, pools and the Waiehu Golf Course will be closed until further notice. Reservations for pool use have been canceled. The County is working with the American Red Cross to provide emergency shelters for people in Maui, Molokaʻi and Lānaʻi.

Douglas continues to move toward the Hawaiian Islands and remains classified as a Major Category 3 Hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and higher gusts. While gradual weakening is expected to continue through the weekend, Douglas is still forecast to be near hurricane strength when it nears the islands.

The State of Hawai‘i’s mandatory 14-day quarantine rule for travelers is being modified temporarily in consideration of the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Douglas.

Hāna Highway (Route 36) is expected to receive significant wave and wind action. Motorists are cautioned that the road is susceptible to landslides and fallen trees. Should motorists encounter a road obstruction they are encouraged to report it via 9-1-1 and not throw debris off the side of cliffs.

Hurricane Douglas continues to move toward the Hawaiian Islands and should be expected to bring severe weather this weekend. Joining me this afternoon are, Mayor Michael Victorino, Luke Meyers, administrator, Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, John Bravender, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service and Veronica Verde, external affairs officer, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

A Hurricane Watch has been issued for Maui County (including Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe) and the Big Island as Hurricane Douglas continues on a track toward the Hawaiian Islands.   The system is remains a Major Category 3 Hurricane with sustained winds near 115 mph.  

The Emergency Department screening tent at Maui Memorial Medical Center will be taken down in preparation for Hurricane Douglas. A hospital spokesperson said the tent is rated for 30 mph sustained wind and with the threat of the Hurricane and even stronger winds, the tent will be taken down temporarily.

The Maui Department of Water Supply advises all customers to conserve water in preparation for the arrival of Hurricane Douglas, which is forecast to bring strong winds, flash flooding and high surf this weekend.

The Category 3 system will continue to experience gradual weakening today through the weekend; however, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center says Douglas is still forecast to be near hurricane strength as it approaches the eastern end of the Hawaiian Island chain late Saturday night or Sunday.

During port condition WHISKEY, gale force winds of 39 mph are predicted to arrive within 72 hours. Ports status are open to all commercial and recreational traffic.

The National Hurricane Center says gradual weakening is expected to begin on Friday and continue through the weekend; and Douglas is forecast to be near hurricane strength when it approaches the Hawaiian Islands. “On the forecast track Douglas will approach the Hawaiian Islands Saturday night, and be near the Islands on Sunday,” according to the latest NHC forecast.

“Hurricane Douglas is expected to gradually weaken as it approaches us, but we should prepare for the worst,” Mayor Victorino said. “I strongly urge everyone to prepare their families now, and be ready to possibly shelter in place.”

Douglas is now a powerful Category 4 Hurricane as it continues on an approach toward the Central Pacific. At 5 p.m., the system was tracked about 1125 miles ESE of Hilo, Hawaiʻi with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph.

The Maui Emergency Management Agency advises that the potentially close passage of this hurricane brings a “triple threat of hazards” to the state, including but not limited to damaging winds, flooding rainfall, and dangerously rough seas that could result in damaging surf, especially along east facing shores.

Gov. David Ige today issued a pre-landfall emergency proclamation as the State of Hawai‘i prepares for possible impacts from Hurricane Douglas. The proclamation authorizes the expenditure of state funds for the quick and efficient relief of disaster-related damage, losses and suffering that may result from the storm.

With the National Weather Service closely monitoring the oncoming category 3 Hurricane Douglas, state officials remind the public that now is the time for preparation to avoid long lines at gas stations, grocery stores, and ATMs across Hawai’i. Hurricane Douglas is currently moving on a consistent track towards the islands and is projected to reach Hawaiʻi Island with potential outlying impacts over the weekend.