Hurricane Iselle Report

OPERATIONAL METEOROLOGY

As of 5:00 PM HST, Hurricane Iselle was located near 19.1° North latitude and 153.8° West longitude. At this location, Iselle is about 95 miles ESE of Hilo, Hawaii, and about 305 miles ESE of Honolulu, Hawaii. Iselle is currently moving westward at about 15 mph, and this motion will likely continue throughout the next 24 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Hurricane Iselle will move over the Big Island tonight, and pass just south of the smaller islands on Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are currently around 75 mph, with higher gusts. Some weakening is likely during the next 36 hours, but Iselle is forecasted to be near hurricane strength as it makes landfall on the Big Island tonight.

Hurricane force winds currently extend outward up to 35 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 185 miles. The estimated minimum central pressure is 992 mb (29.30 inches of Mercury).

Hurricane Iselle Land Hazards

Wind – Tropical Storm conditions will likely reach the Big Island of Hawaii this evening, with hurricane conditions forecasted in some areas overnight. Tropical storm conditions are likely in Maui county tonight, over Oahu on Friday, and over Kauai county during the afternoon hours on Friday.

Surf – Very high and damaging surf is forecasted to quickly build along east and south facing shores through Friday, especially on the Big Island.

Rainfall – Rainfall totals of 5 to 8 inches, with isolated maximum amounts to 12 inches, are likely along the track of Iselle. These rains could cause life-threatening flash floods in addition to rock and mud slides.

Storm Surge – The combination of a hazardous storm surge Saturday and the tide will cause usually dry areas near the coast to 2:00 pm HST Saturday 2:00 am HST Friday be flooded by ascending waters. The water could reach the 2:00 pm HST Friday 2:00 am HST following heights above ground if the peak surge occurs at the time of high tide: Big island windward and Kau, 1 to 2 ft. The highest water is expected to occur along the immediate coast in areas of onshore flow. The surge will be accompanied by high and damaging waves. Surge related flooding depends on the relative timing of the surge and the tidal cycle, and can Prepared for differ largely over small distances.