Hawaii hurricane 2014 - Hurricane Iselle - is the first hurricane expected to hit Hawaii in 22 years, reports the Associated Press. Iselle, the first Hawaii hurricane 2014 reportedly weakened slightly while its outer edges started pouring rain and brought wind to the Big Island on Thursday afternoon local time as it approached landfall, according to the National Weather Service.
The first Hawaii hurricane 2014 has been considered a Category 1 storm, and now residents and tourists are preparing for another highly likely major storm lined up behind it in the Pacific. The second Hawaii hurricane 2014 has been put into a Category 2 storm. According to NBC News, Julio remained close on Iselle's tail and was projected to strike Hawaii's north side early Sunday morning.
The eye of the first Hawaii hurricane 2014, Hurricane Iselle, was about 400 kilometres southeast of Hilo. According to the NWS, Iselle is currently moving at roughly 27 km/h and is likely to make landfall Thursday evening.
Addressing Hawaii's preparation with the coming onslaught of the Hawaii hurricane 2014, Gov. Neil Abercrombie said at a news conference Thursday that the state is prepared for the back-to-back Hawaii hurricane 2014.
Abercrombie reiterated that the National Guard is ready. State and local governments were also closing offices, schools and transit services across the state as the Hawaii hurricane 2014 approaches. Emergency shelters are also opened across in case they are needed.
In response to the warnings that the approaching Hawaii hurricane 2014 Iselle could lash roofs and windows, Hawaiians were seen boarding up their homes, reports NBC News.
Meanwhile, earlier Thursday, a 4.5-magnitude earthquake in Hawaii didn't cause any major damage as it struck the Big Island. The AP also said that there were no reports of injuries even if residents were making last-minute trips to grocery stores during the quake.
Hawaiian resident Kelsey Walker described the recent earthquake in Hawaii as similar to a "little jolt". Walker said the quake fortunately didn't knock things off shelves at the Waimea grocery store where he works.
Trying to keep a sense of humor about the quake before the Hawaii hurricane 2014, Walker mused 'We have a hurricane. Now we have this on top of it. What else?'
Meanwhile, with regard to what will happen to Saturday's primary elections now with the Hawaii hurricane 2014, state Attorney General David Louie promised that everything will go forward as planned.
According to the AP, some residents are already voting early including the congressional and gubernatorial races.
Hilo resident Kimo Makuakane said, 'It's quiet, nobody's around right now. It's kind of eerie. Everybody's heeding the warnings -- staying at home and staying indoors.'
The first Hawaii hurricane 2014 Iselle, together with the second named Hurricane Julio, has already disrupted tourism. Reports say they have also prompted flash flood warnings and led to school closures.
Meteorologist Mike Cantin of the NWS said, 'Not a major hurricane, but definitely enough to blow things around.'
Travellers' trips began getting disrupted Thursday due to the Hawaii hurricane 2014 when commuter airline Island Air said it was cancelling some afternoon flights and shutting down all operations today.
According to the AP, several other airlines have cancelled flights since Island Air's announcement.
Travellers have been told to stay in hotels instead of heading to the airport, unless their flight was imminent.
Ford Fuchigami, interim director of the Hawaii's Department of Transportation, said in a press conference, 'It's very, very important that people understand that our airport is not set up to handle large crowds.'
Since 1950, Hawaii has only been hit directly by hurricanes three times. However, the region has had 147 tropical storms over that time. 1992 was the last time Hawaii was hit with a hurricane. According to meteorologist Eric Lau said, Hurricane Iniki killed six people and destroyed more than 1,400 homes in Kauai.
The storms, most especially the Hawaii hurricane 2014 Iselle and Julio are rare. However, they are unexpected in years with a developing El Nino and change in ocean temperature affecting weather around the world, reports ABC 7.
Hawaii hurricane 2014 Iselle is going to become the first hurricane to hit Hawaii since Iniki made landfall in 1992, according to NBC News. Also, ahead of this year's hurricane season, the AP reports that weather officials had warned that the Pacific Ocean could see four to seven tropical cyclones in 2014.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
