Tropical Storm Flossie is making its way to Hawaii and residents are preparing themselves for the heavy rains to come.
The National Weather Service reported that the Big Island and Maui will be hit by the storm with gusts of wind up to 60 mph and possible flooding, reported CBS.
"For the folks on the Big Island and Maui, if you're preparing your home, you should be rushing those preparations to completion," said Michael Cantin, a warning coordination meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Honolulu to CBS. "By the time you get up in the morning, the storm's going to already be there and you won't have any time."
CNN reported that on Monday the islands of Maui, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe were under tropical storm watch. Kaui and Niihau storm watchers were up.
"With widespread rainfall of up to 10 inches, and pockets of 15 inches on the big island of Hawaii and Maui, and 12 inches over Oahu, emergency officials had evacuated low-lying backcountry areas over the weekend, the station reported. Elsewhere, shoppers stocked up on water, food and other supplies," reported CNN.
Hilo Home Depot manager Mike Young said to KFVE, "People were in all day picking up the usuals -- batteries, water tarps, looking for generators, things like that."
At 11 p.m. on Sunday, the storm had winds of 50 mph and was centered about 200 miles east of Hilo, Hwaii.
"Mike McCartney, chief executive of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, said some airlines have begun to adjust flights and visitors should double-check plans," reported CBS.
It's not clear which island faces the most danger but the Big Island is probably the first in the storm's path, reported CBS.
The storm is expected to go through the Big Island and Maui on Monday and then south of Oahu on Monday evening.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
