This is the latest update the Honolulu Star Advertiser as of 5:35 pm Tuesday:
Honolulu city officials are urging residents to begin preparations for potential damage from a developing tropical system in the Central Pacific that could slam Hawaii this weekend. Although there is still uncertainty over the track of the system, which is still more than 1,000 miles away, officials are urging residents not to wait and to begin preparations now.
“This is the time to prepare, not panic,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi in a news release. “We still do not know exactly where this system will track or how strong it will become, but we know enough to take it seriously. I am asking everyone on Oahu to use the next several days wisely. Check your emergency supplies, make sure your family has a plan, secure your property, and stay informed. The earlier we prepare, the better positioned we will be to respond to whatever comes our way.”
Forecasters were monitoring an “area of potential tropical development” about 1,050 miles east-southeast of the islands. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said there is a 90 percent chance that a tropical depression or storm will form Wednesday as the system, which it has dubbed CP93, begins moving northwest at around 15 mph. “Interests in the Hawaiian islands should closely monitor the progress of the system,” forecasters said this afternoon.
The next tropical storm or hurricane that forms in the Central Pacific will be called Lala.
Honolulu city officials warned that even ahead of CP93’s arrival, Oahu could experience gusty winds and an increased risk of wildfires. They urge residents to remain especially cautious with any activity that could ignite a fire, and to secure loose outdoor items before winds ramp up. The state could experience heavy rainfall, strong winds, dangerous surf, and possible flooding depending on the eventual track and strength of the system, which is expected to become clearer as it moves closer.
City & County of Honolulu officials said they are reviewing operational plans and preparations across departments to ensure personnel, equipment and resources are ready if needed.
City officials said residents should take the following steps now:
>> Review and update family emergency plans, including where to go if evacuation is necessary.
>> Assemble or replenish emergency supplies, including enough food, water, medications and essential items to last at least 14 days.
>> Have flashlights, batteries, portable chargers and other supplies ready in the event of a power outage.
>> Secure outdoor furniture, equipment and other loose objects that could become hazardous in strong winds.
>> Clear gutters, drains and areas that could contribute to flooding.
>> Keep vehicles fueled and avoid waiting until the last minute to purchase essential supplies.
>> Know whether homes are in a flood, coastal or other hazard area and be prepared to relocate if necessary.
>> Sign up for HNL Alert emergency notifications by visiting hnlalert.gov or texting HNLALERT to 888777.
National Weather Service officials said, “Residents and visitors should prepare now for potential tropical cyclone impacts this weekend.” “Once the system becomes better organized, we should have higher confidence in the weather impacts,” NWS forecasters said. In the meantime, they gave this list of potential hazards for this weekend:
>> Fire weather: On Friday, winds will begin to strengthen and a dry and stable air mass with low relative humidity in advance of the storm will lead to high wildfire potential.
>> Strong winds: On Saturday, winds could further strengthen, although extent of those winds is dependent on the track and intensity of the system.
>> Heavy rain: The system could bring heavy rain over the weekend, “particularly across east and southeast-facing slopes” with flash flooding and rapidly rising streams possible in some areas.
>> High surf: A large easterly swell is expected as the storm moves northwestward across the Central Pacific, building along eastrn shores from the east islands to the west. Warning-level surf of 15 feet or larger is possible over the weekend.
Further out, in the East Pacific, a well-defined low pressure system dubbed EP99 has also formed to the west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja, Calif., which could become a tropical depression by Wednesday.
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