Trouble In Paradise - Hurricane Lane Lurks Near Hawaii

Hurricane Lane has been causing a stir in the Pacific Ocean over the past several days and at one point it was a category 5 hurricane! The good news is that Lane has lost some strength overnight and is down to a category 3 as it makes its way closer to the Hawaiian Islands. Damaging winds, at times topping 110mph, along with torrential rains can be expected. Numerous hurricane warnings and flash flood warnings are still in effect as well as a hurricane watch for the island of Kauai. Areas located in the higher terrain across the islands of Maui and Lanai are some of the wettest locations on Earth. As the hurricane passes over these areas, landslides and significant flooding can be expected.

Hurricanes rarely make landfall in Hawaii, there have only been two since the 1950's that have directly struck the island. The first one was Hurricane Dot in 1959 followed by Iniki in 1992.

The latest computer models are indicating that the storm will make a westerly turn by the weekend, heading just to the south and west of Honolulu. The eventual track still may shift, as the computer model solutions are still in some degree of disagreement.