#tropical storm iselle

The extension of the proclamation is ostensibly in response to the widespread damage and ongoing disaster recovery efforts on Hawai’i Island.

Maui County Civil Defense and Mayor Alan Arakawa have announced the all clear for residents as the tropical storm warning for the county was canceled this afternoon. Tropical Storm Iselle dispersed after hitting the Big Island last night and stopping the storms progression to Maui; however the Mayor still urged caution in the coming days.

Twenty-four hour rainfall totals ending at 8 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, show more than 14 inches of rain at Saddle Quarry and Kulani; more than 12 inches of rain at Hakalau and Puaakala; and 13.9 inches in the Glenwood area.

As of midnight last night, there were a total of 231 individuals at eight shelters in Maui County. County offices remain closed today, with the exception of the County Clerk’s Office, which is open and receiving absentee ballots until 2 p.m. today.

“Iselle still remains a threat. That’s what I’m trying to emphasize out there — that as folks wake up and it seems a little breezy and there are some showers out there, the idea is that we could still get these sudden gusts, and still the potential for flooding …”

The National Weather Service says radar at 1:23 a.m. showed moderate to heavy rain along the windward slopes of Haleakalā. Additional rain bands will continue to move over east Maui over the next several hours.

On the topic of winds: “It’s going to be an event where no part of the state is going to be spared. We can expect the same or similar impacts throughout the state at least through Friday evening.”

Mike Cantin with the National Weather Service said that dangers on land with strong winds and flooding potential, and on the sea with high waves and storm surge along the coast make the system a threat.

Iselle is still a hurricane with maximum sustained winds near 75 mph, with some slight weakening recorded over the last six hours.

Wind gusts of 55 mph have already been recorded on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi in the Mauna Kea area. The onset for Maui is projected to be between 9 and 10 p.m. according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

The impacts—in the form of heavy rain, strong winds, and storm surge—are anticipated to begin as early as 4 p.m. on Hawaiʻi Island today, with the center of the storm passing over the Big Island of Hawaiʻi in the late afternoon to evening hours.

The Hawaii Red Cross volunteers will begin opening shelters in Maui County at 1 p.m. in response to Iselle. Shelters on Maui include: Baldwin High ; Lokelani Intermediate (pet friendly); Kekaulike High; Hāna High & Elementary; Molokaʻi High; and Kilohana Elementary (Molokaʻi); and Lānaʻi High & Elementary.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center says the onset of tropical storm conditions are expected over Maui County tonight, with very large damaging surf expected along mainly east and south shores starting late tonight.

Iselle is now located about 625 miles ESE of Hilo, Hawaiʻi. The system still has maximum sustained winds of 90 mph with present movement towards the WNW at 16 mph. Heavy rain is expected Thursday and Friday, with an anticipated 5 to 8 inches.

The County of Maui Department of Transportation announced the following Maui Bus services to be suspended on Thursday, Aug. 7, and Friday, Aug. 8, due to safety concerns associated with the approaching tropical cyclone Iselle.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center says the system was located 510 miles ESE of Hilo; 620 miles ESE of Kahului, Maui; 675 miles ESE of Kaunakakai, Molokaʻi; and 650 miles ESE of Lānaʻi City at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2014.

Hawaiian Airlines announced that it will waive reservation change fees and differences in fares for customers who need to change travel plans due to Hurricanes Iselle and Julio.

Young Brothers, Limited issued an advisory saying it will not be able to sail its Thursday barge to Kahului under current forecasts associated with Hurricane Iselle.

At 5 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, Hurricane Iselle was located 710 miles ESE of Hilo, and 820 miles ESE of Kahului, Maui. The system was moving WNW at 15 mph, and has maximum sustained winds near 85 mph, making it a Category 1 hurricane.

A Flood Potential Outlook for the state says heavy rain and flash flooding are possible Thursday and Friday. A tropical storm warning was also issued for offshore waters between 40 and 240 nautical miles around Hawaiʻi.