Hawaii hurricane update: Iselle pummeled Hawaii as it made landfall on Big Island, uprooting trees and cutting off power supply in around 18,000 homes.
According to the latest Hawaii hurricane update, Iselle, which is classified as a Category 1 hurricane and the first to hit the Aloha state in 22 years, traversed the Puna district on the southeastern region of the island around 9:15 p.m. local time, with maximum sustained winds of approximately 70 miles an hour, said local civil defense officials, The Wall Street Journal reported.
So far, no major injuries or damages were reported in the latest Hawaii hurricane update, and at around 11 p.m. local time, Iselle was downgraded to a tropical storm. Its projected course is said to be taking it past the island overnight with steady rain and high winds, as the rest of Hawaii prepare for possible days of stormy devastation with hurricane Julio trailing closely behind.
Aside from the power being cut off from about 18,000 homes, civil defense officials said in the Hawaii hurricane update that a geothermal plant in Puna also lost power causing it to release poisonous hydrogen sulfide. Nearby residents were advised by authorities to either evacuate to safe zones or take shelter, Reuters has learned.
Additionally, the Hawaii hurricane update revealed that Iselle also knocked numerous trees on its midst blocking roads, and adding to the tension experienced by the locality.
Meanwhile, hurricane Julio is said to be gaining momentum and is expected to cross north of Hawaii by Sunday or early Monday, Central Pacific Hurricane Center meteorologist Eric Lau said.
Julio was upgraded to a Category 3 storm late Thursday, with maximum sustained winds rising to almost 115 mph (185 kph), with higher gusts and westward track at 16 mph (26 kph), according to the National Hurricane Center.
In preparation to the rare back-to-back cylcone, Hawaii residents scurried to stock up on supplies as state authorities warned of possible mudslides, power outages an flash floods.
An emergency proclamation freeing up funds and resources was signed by Governor Neil Abercrombie, according to USA Today. Residents were also advised to prepare seven-day disaster supply kits and warned them from driving except during an emergency.
Schools in Hawaii will reportedly be closed on Friday, however, airports will be kept open so planes could land in an emergency, despite that some airlines canceled flights.
Authorities said residents should track the latest Hawaii hurricane updates that they will be releasing from time to time.
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