Hawaii Braces for Tropical Storm Hone's Impact

At the time of writing, Tropical Storm Hone is approaching the Big Island of Hawaii and is expected to result in significant weather conditions for the islands’ residents. The storm boasts maximum sustained winds of 65 mph and was located about 125 miles to the southeast of Hilo as of Saturday evening, moving westward at 14 mph. According to the latest projection by the National Hurricane Center, the storm is expected to pass near or just south of the Big Island from late Saturday to early Sunday, with its intensity peaking just below the levels of a hurricane by Sunday night and Monday. This essay will give a brief overview of the development, point to current warnings and preparatory measures, and introduce readers to the impact of the storm.

Warnings and Preparatory Measures

In anticipation of Hone, a Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Hawaii County, with the extended outlook for the next several days indicating that the storm will cause as much as 6 to 12 inches of rainfall, worrying residents with the threat of significant flash flooding. The National Weather Service, in the meantime, has been warning that wave heights would be “rapidly rising”, with the surf warning in effect for all the islands’ shores promising both dangerous surf and rip currents for the island chain. For the east-facing shores of the Big Island, the wave height forecast says that the waves will vary between 14 and 18 feet, remaining as such through Sunday and being “large and disorganized”. The state has taken all necessary precautions, with Governor Josh Green already declaring a state of emergency covering the next three days, ordering the National Guard to be activated and disaster funds to be used, so has the forestry and wildlife department of the state which closes the Big Island camping areas.

Discussion

It is noteworthy that Hone is the first named storm in the Central Pacific Basin in two years. In addition to its current impact and storm surge and flooding forecast, the storm is notable for the level of preparedness which it brought about in the Hawaiian community. In addition, it is a good reminder to both the inhabitants of the state and the mainland about how important it is even in the days of advanced meteorological forecasting to stay prepared for eventual disasters, especially where nature has been punishing.

Summary

Tropical Storm Hone is about to reach Big Island and while nobody knows yet how bad, its arrival has become a powerful reminder of the capriciousness of nature. However, it is also a reminder of the robustness of the community and emergency services taking all necessary measures to make the impact of the storm as little as possible.