NWS Honolulu Issues Tropical Storm Warning for Big Island East
The National Weather Service in Honolulu has issued a high-severity Tropical Storm Warning for the Big Island East area, affecting locations including Hilo, Pahoa, and Volcano.
The warning went into effect on September 24 at 4:53 PM HST, with the window for tropical storm force winds spanning from Friday afternoon until Saturday afternoon.
The local forecast indicates equivalent tropical storm force winds with peak wind forecasts ranging from 30 to 40 mph, accompanied by gusts up to 60 mph. Authorities note there is a potential for winds reaching 58 to 73 mph, with the wind threat remaining nearly steady from the previous assessment.
Potential impacts include significant damage to roofing, siding materials, porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings may experience window, door, and garage door failures, and mobile homes could be damaged, particularly if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects may also become dangerous projectiles.
Additional hazards involve several large trees being snapped or uprooted, fences and roadway signs blown over, and some roads and bridges becoming impassable due to large debris. Scattered power and communications outages are expected, especially in areas with above-ground lines.