For Immediate Release: August 24, 2018 HTA Release (18-48) Hurricane Lane Downgraded to Category 2; Flash Flood Watch Continues for all of Hawai‘i HONOLULU – Hurricane Lane has been downgraded to a Category 2 status, with the threat of extremely heavy rainfall and flash flooding continuing to be the biggest threat to people and property statewide. As of 11:00 a.m. HST, the center of Hurricane Lane was located approximately 155 miles south of Honolulu, with the massive storm moving slowly north at 5 miles per hour, with maximum sustained winds of 105 miles per hour. The hurricane continues to be weakened and slowed by the combined effects of strong wind shear and trade winds moving in a southerly direction. Widespread rainfall of 10 to 15 inches is forecasted statewide, with some isolated areas potentially receiving up to 30 inches of rainfall, as Hurricane Lane continues its slow pass along the south shores of the Hawaiian Islands. The island of Hawai‘i has already been inundated with rainfall and reports of flash flooding in several areas, particularly on the island’s east side. Tropical storm force winds and heavy rainfall are forecasted to reach Maui, Lāna‘i and Moloka‘i this afternoon, O‘ahu by late tonight, and Kaua‘i on Saturday. “Throughout this weekend, staying safe needs to be everyone’s top priority,” said George D. Szigeti, president and CEO of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority. “Hurricane Lane is moving slowly but continues to be very dangerous. Don’t get complacent, don’t take risks, and don’t test Mother Nature. We are urging everyone to stay inside, stay off the beaches and stay off the roads until the hurricane has passed.” Along with heavy rainfall, flash flooding and high winds, civil defense officials are advising residents and visitors to stay away from the beaches to avoid dangerous surf conditions and a storm surge caused by the hurricane. Residents and visitors are advised to shelter in place while Hurricane Lane is passing the Hawaiian Islands and to have access to a 14-day supply of food and water. Shelters are opened statewide for those needing to evacuate flood zone areas. A listing of shelters is below, along with resources for information about Hurricane Lane, and closures of parks, attractions and roads. Visitors planning to travel to or who are already here in the Hawaiian Islands should contact their airlines, accommodations and activity providers for information on being prepared and make adjustments to travel plans as needed. Weather Information Up-to-date online information on the trek of Hurricane Lane is available at the following: National Weather Service Forecast: www.weather.gov/hawaii Central Pacific Hurricane Center: www.weather.gov/cphc Hurricane Preparedness: www.facebook.com/PrepareNOWHI/ Real Time Satellite Image: Click to View Media Updates Hurricane Lane Downgraded to Category 2 Page 2 Reliable, accurate and timely information about Hurricane Lane on a statewide basis can be accessed at the following media outlets in Hawai‘i: Honolulu Star-Advertiser: www.staradvertiser.com Hawai‘i News Now: www.hawaiinewsnow.com KHON: www.khon2.com KITV: www.kitv.com Emergency Notifications The public can sign up to receive emergency notifications at the following webpages: County of Hawaii: countyofhawaii.bbcportal.com City & County of Honolulu: hnl.info/alerts/login.php County of Kauai: countyofkauai.bbcportal.com County of Maui: http://www.co.maui.hi.us/list.aspx Hurricane Lane Evacuation Shelter List for the State of Hawai‘i City and County of Honolulu Aiea High School Leilehua High School Radford High School Waialua High and Intermediate School Dole Middle School Farrington High School Kaimuki Middle School Kaiser High School Kalani High School McKinley High School Stevenson Middle School Campbell High School Kapolei High School Leihoku Elementary School Nānākuli High and Intermediate School Pearl City High Waipahu High School Brigham Young University Hawai‘i Castle High School Waimanalo Elementary and Intermediate School County of Maui Hāna High and Elementary School Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa Ballroom Lahaina Christian Fellowship Church Lahaina Intermediate School Lāna‘i High and Elementary School Lokelani Intermediate School King Kekaulike High School Maui High School Moloka‘i High School County of Hawai‘i Ho‘okena Elementary School Kamehameha Park Hisaoka Gym (Pet Friendly) Hurricane Lane Downgraded to Category 2 Page 3 Kealakehe High School (Pet Friendly) Konawaena High School Waiakea High School Waikoloa Elementary and Middle School County of Kaua‘i Kīlauea Gym Kīlauea Elementary School Church of the Pacific in Princeville For a listing of road closures statewide, please refer to the Hawai‘i State Department of Transportation Highways Division’s website at http://hidot.hawaii.gov/hurricane-lane/. For tourism updates please visit the Alerts page of the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority: https://www.hawaiitourismauthority.org/news/alerts/ Travelers planning a trip to the Hawaiian Islands who have questions can contact the Hawai‘i Tourism United States Call Center at 1-800-GOHAWAII (1-800-464-2924). About the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority The Hawai‘i Tourism Authority is responsible for strategically managing the State of Hawai‘i’s marketing initiatives to support tourism. HTA’s goal is to optimize tourism’s benefits for Hawai‘i, while being attentive to the interests of travelers, the community and visitor industry. Established in 1998 to support Hawai‘i’s leading industry and largest employer, HTA continually strives to help ensure the sustainability of tourism’s success. For more information about HTA, please visit www.hawaiitourismauthority.org. Follow updates about HTA on Facebook, Twitter (@HawaiiHTA) and its YouTube Channel. Media Contacts: Charlene Chan PatricK Dugan Director of Communications Senior Vice President Hawai‘i Tourism Authority Anthology Marketing Group 808-973-2272 (o) 808-539-3411 (o) 808-781-7733 (m) 808-741-2712 (m) [email protected] [email protected] .