Business News

A rare and powerful Hawaiian hurricane is flooding its islands

Hurricane Lane looms off Hawaii.
Hurricane Lane looms off Hawaii.
Image: NOAA via AP
By
Johnny Simon
We may earn a commission from links on this page.

The outer reaches of Hurricane Lane are drenching Hawaii with heavy rains, in some places as much as 20 inches (50 centimeters), the AP reports. Winds blowing at roughly 120 miles per hour have also been reported.

The path of Lane, which even as a Category 3 could be the biggest storm to make landfall in Hawaii in a quarter century, is still uncertain.

A NOAA satellite image from today (Aug. 24) shows how close the storm is to the islands.

Where the storm was lingering on this morning (Aug. 24).
Where the storm was lingering on this morning (Aug. 24).
Image: NOAA via AP

Photos from yesterday show that while the storm still raging offshore, heavy rains had already arrived. Flooding throughout the town of Hilo on the Big Island is a precursor of what forecasters fear could be the impact of an extremely dangerous storm.

Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Lane causes a stream to overflow near Hilo, Hawaii on Aug 23.
Heavy rainfall from Hurricane Lane causes a stream to overflow near Hilo, Hawaii on Aug 23.
Image: EPA/Bruce Omori
Flooding near Hilo ahead of Hurricane Lane.
Flooding near Hilo ahead of Hurricane Lane.
Image: EPA/Bruce Omori
Heavy rains submerged the Bayfront soccer fields and Kamehameha Avenue.
Heavy rains submerged the Bayfront soccer fields and Kamehameha Avenue.
Image: EPA/Bruce Omori
A car in floodwaters near Hilo.
A car in floodwaters near Hilo.
Image: EPA/Bruce Omori
Heavy flooding is seen in Hilo.
Heavy flooding is seen in Hilo.
Image: Karolina Jirova via Reuters
A possible preview of more flooding to come.
A possible preview of more flooding to come.
Image: Ace Norton via Reuters
Residents look at heavy flooding in Hilo, Hawaii.
Residents look at heavy flooding in Hilo, Hawaii.
Image: Ace Norton via Reuters
Incoming waves tower splash over bystanders in Kona.
Incoming waves tower splash over bystanders in Kona.
Image: Ryan Leinback
Residents on a flooded street in Hilo.
Residents on a flooded street in Hilo.
Image: Instagram/@HWNIMMIGRANT via Reuters