The Latest on tropical weather systems (all times local):

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is closing some areas at the end of the day as a major hurricane hurtles west toward Hawaii Island.

Park officials said Tuesday that the coastal lava viewing area will close by Wednesday morning.

Some camping areas are closing, but guests staying at Kilauea Military Camp and Volcano House may shelter in place.

The closures will remain in effect until the storms pass.

Hawaii’s Big Island is under a hurricane warning as category 3 Madeline approaches. The National Weather Service warned that hurricane conditions are expected on the Big Island within the next 36 hours.

Hawaii’s Big Island is under a hurricane warning as category 3 Madeline approaches.

The National Weather Service warned Tuesday that hurricane conditions are expected on the Big Island within the next 36 hours. Forecasters are urging residents and visitors to rush through preparations to protect their lives and property.

Big Island resident Mitzi Bettencourt says she has boarded up windows in her brother’s oceanfront home. She says she and her neighbors are hoping their roofs stay intact and their houses don’t float away.

Neighbors are stocking up on food and water to prepare for power outages.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Oahu this week. The White House is tracking the weather developments closely, but it doesn’t anticipate changing Obama’s schedule.

Forecasters have issued a hurricane watch for parts of Florida stretching from northwest of Tampa to an area east of Panama City.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami issued the watch for an area of the Gulf coast from the Anclote River to Indian Pass. An area to the west of Indian pass on the Panhandle is under a tropical storm watch.

The watches are related to a tropical depression churning in the Gulf about 345 miles (55 kilometers) west of Key West.

Forecasters say they expect the system to turn to the northeast toward Florida on Wednesday. It’s also expected to become a tropical storm by Wednesday.

Residents of Hawaii’s Big Island are bracing for what could be the first hurricane to make landfall in that state in decades.

Meteorologist Chevy Chevalier said Tuesday that Pacific hurricane Madeline, now a major Category 3 storm, is expected to weaken but likely to remain a hurricane as it passes the state.

The forecaster says Madeline is expected to pass just south of the Big Island early Thursday morning. But if the storm’s track shifts slightly to the north, it could hit land.

Chevalier says the last hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii was Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which hit Kauai Island.

A second Pacific hurricane called Lester is still far from Hawaii. Lester is expected to be a tropical storm by the time it passes the state.

Federal regulators say offshore operators have temporarily evacuated workers from some oil and gas platforms in the Gulf of Mexico because of a tropical depression.

The Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement in Washington said in an emailed statement that personnel were taken off nine platforms by midday Tuesday, or from just a fraction of the 750 manned platforms in the Gulf. It adds workers also were evacuated from one rig and a total of seven rigs had been re-positioned away from the expected path of the storm.

The regulatory agency says its hurricane response team has been activated and is working with offshore operators and other agencies “until operations return to normal and the storm is no longer a threat to Gulf of Mexico oil and gas activities.”

The emailed statement didn’t say exactly how many workers were evacuated.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center says a hurricane watch is in effect for the Big Island of Hawaii, warning major Hurricane Madeline could pass “dangerously close.”

At 5 a.m. HST (11 a.m. EDT) Tuesday, Madeline was a powerful Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph (195 kph). The center adds that the storm is centered about 445 miles (715 kilometers) east of Hilo, Hawaii, and moving west at 10 mph (17 kph).

The Center’s advisory predicted the storm would pass near Hawaii’s Big Island Wednesday and Wednesday night and residents could experience hurricane-force winds, heavy rain and high surf. But it added that some weakening is forecast through late Wednesday.

Hawaii County, which covers the Big Island, urged residents to restock their emergency kits, create evacuation plans and secure outdoor furniture.

Forecasters say a tropical weather system off the North Carolina coast is expected to pass near the Outer Banks by the evening.

An 11 a.m. update on Tuesday from the National Hurricane Center says the tropical depression could become a named storm later in the day. Its center is also expected to pass near the North Carolina barrier islands in the afternoon or evening.

Top sustained winds were 35 mph (55 kph) with higher gusts, and the storm was centered about 70 miles (115 kilometers) south of Cape Hatteras. A tropical storm warning is in effect for much of the Outer Banks.

In the Gulf of Mexico another tropical depression was about 340 miles (550 kilometers) west of Key West, Florida. Forecasters expect it to become a tropical storm later Tuesday and make a turn to the northeast toward Florida the next day.

A slow stream of cars is heading north on the main highway off Hatteras Island in North Carolina as crowds of visitors thin ahead of the approach of a tropical weather system.

Dozens of cars with tags from places including Maryland, New York and Ohio were seen headed Tuesday morning toward a bridge to the mainland. There was light, intermittent rain and mostly cloudy skies.

A tropical depression off the Atlantic Coast is expected to become a tropical storm and bring rain and wind to North Carolina’s Outer Banks as it passes by early Wednesday.

A public beach near Rodanthe was nearly empty, save for two parents enjoying the morning with their 11-year-old son. Joe and Kelley Walker of Virginia say they plan to stay through the weather and watch movies inside when it gets rainy.

A tropical depression that threatens the North Carolina coast has turned north-northwestward in the Atlantic.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says the depression is expected to later curve north and then northeast on Wednesday. Its forecast track shows its center will be near North Carolina’s Outer Banks by Tuesday afternoon or evening.

The depression’s maximum sustained are near 35 mph (55 kph) and forecasters say it could become a tropical storm later in the day.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says a hurricane hunter aircraft has been sent to investigate a tropical depression nearing the North Carolina coast.

The depression’s maximum sustained winds remain near 35 mph (55 kph) Tuesday morning but forecasters say it could become a tropical storm later in the day. The depression is centered about 95 miles (150 kilometers) south-southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and is moving northwest near 6 mph (9 kph).

Meanwhile, another tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico could hit northern Florida as a tropical storm later in the week.

Officials say a potential tropical storm is already forming off the coast of North Carolina’s Outer Banks. It’s expected to bring up to 45 mph winds and heavy rain that could flood low-lying areas.

The tropical depression was about 115 miles (185 kilometers) southeast of Cape Hatteras on Tuesday morning with top sustained winds of 35 mph (55 kph). Officials say it’s expected to become a tropical storm in coming hours but not grow any stronger.

Beachgoers, boat captains and business owners warily waited for the storm to wash out one of the summer’s last busy weeks.

Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center in Miami also say another tropical depression in the Gulf of Mexico could hit northern Florida as a tropical storm later in the week and possibly head toward the Atlantic coast.</s></s>Hawaii Island is under a hurricane warning as officials prepare for the arrival of Hurricane Madeline.

The warning means hurricane conditions are expected Wednesday into early Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.

As of 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Hawaii County was considering opening emergency shelters.

Ed Teixeira, county interim civil defense director, said shelters could be opened as early as Tuesday if the call is made.

Asked what his main concern is, Teixeira said: “It’s not weakening fast enough.”

Madeline remained a category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. It was 370 miles east of Hilo and moving west at 10 mph as of 11 a.m.

The weather service said it expects Madeline to slowly weaken as it encounters vertical wind shear but remain a “dangerous hurricane” as it passes just south of the island late Wednesday and early Thursday.

The hurricane is forecast to have maximum sustained winds of 105 mph Wednesday morning and 80 mph Thursday morning.

Hurricane Lester was 1,275 miles east of Hilo as of 11 a.m. with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph. It’s forecast to pass the island to the north Saturday.</s>The National Weather Service issued a hurricane watch Monday for Hawaii Island as Hurricane Madeline continues to intensify.

A watch means that hurricane conditions are possible in the next 48 hours. The weather service also issued a flash flood watch for the island for Wednesday and Thursday.

As of 11 a.m. Monday, Madeline was a category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph. It was located 630 miles east of Hilo.

Madeline is forecast to pass south of the island Wednesday and Thursday. Landfall remains a possibility.

By Thursday, the cyclone is expected to weaken to a category 1 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.

Farther to the east, Hurricane Lester continues to churn toward the island as a category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130 mph. It was 1,610 miles east of Hilo as of 11 a.m. Monday.

Lester is forecast to pass the island Saturday to the north, though a direct hit remains possible.

It’s also expected to weaken to a category 1 hurricane as it nears the island, with maximum sustained winds of 80 mph.</s>HONOLULU (AP) — The Central Pacific Hurricane Center has issued a hurricane watch for the Big Island of Hawaii as Hurricane Madeline closes in on the island.

Forecaster Derek Wroe says the storm should be near or over the Big Island by Wednesday.

Madeline was a Category 3 hurricane at midday Monday and may strengthen over the next 12 to 24 hours.

But it's expected to weaken Tuesday because of upper atmosphere conditions.

The Center's advisory on Madeline says Big Island residents could experience hurricane force winds, heavy rain and high surf on Wednesday.

Madeline was 630 miles east of Hilo on Monday and moving west northwest at 10 mph.

The hurricane had sustained winds near 115 mph.</s>Hawaii stands in the path of Hurricane Madeline, which could slam into the Big Island some time tomorrow, potentially derailing a proposed visit by President Obama.

The US National Weather Service (NWS) said Madeline, a Category 3 hurricane, was expected to pass 'dangerously close' to Big Island, carrying heavy rain and strong winds.

The hurricane, which has sustained winds of 125 miles per hour, was 575 miles east of Hilo at 0300 GMT on Tuesday.

It is expected to dump up to 15 inches of rain on Hawaii.

'This rainfall may lead to dangerous flash floods and mudslides,' said an NWS Central Pacific Hurricane Center spokesman.

The Big Island, officially known as Hawaii, is home to only 185,000 people, compared to Oahu - which includes the capital Honolulu - which has almost a million people.

Hawaii County, which covers the Big Island, urged residents to stock up with food, water, flashlights, batteries and first aid supplies.

Hurricane Lester, a Category 4 storm with winds of 130 miles per hour, is currently 1,000 miles east of Madeline, also heading for Hawaii but it is expected to lose strength before it reaches landfall.

The president is due to arrive on Thursday to give a keynote speech at the opening of the World Conservation Congress, a major meeting of thousands of delegates, including heads of state, scientists and policy makers.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature stages the congress every four years at a different location around the globe and unfortunately it is set to take place this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

Obama, who was born and grew up in Hawaii, is also expected to travel to Midway Atoll - scene of a famous World War II battle - where he established the world's largest marine reserve last week, home to thousands of rare sea creatures.

Hawaii is rarely affected by storms but in 1982 Hurricane Iwa devastasted the islands, with wind gusts of 100 miles per hour, it damaged 2,345 buildings, leaving 500 people homeless.</s>People stock up, board up as hurricane hurtles toward Hawaii

HONOLULU (AP) — Residents of Hawaii's Big Island were evacuating animals and stockpiling water Tuesday, bracing for what could be the first hurricane to make landfall in the state in decades.

The National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning as the major Category 3 storm dubbed Madeline hurtled west toward the island, urging residents to rush through preparations to protect themselves and their property and expect hurricane conditions within the next 36 hours.

"Hopefully our roofs stay on, and our houses don't float way or get blown away," said Big Island resident Mitzi Bettencourt, who boarded up walls of glass windows at her brother's oceanfront home. "It's like, 'Oh my God, are we going to get flattened or what?'"

Bettencourt, who lives in a subdivision called Kapoho Vacationland, manages several vacation rental properties and has her own home to worry about, which sits a few blocks from the ocean. She and her neighbors were stocking their pantries, stowing away lawn furniture and preparing for power outages.

"If they're not prepared now, they should get prepared fast," said Chevy Chevalier, a meteorologist with the weather service.

Hurricane Madeline is expected to weaken but likely will remain a hurricane as it passes the state, Chevalier said.

Forecasters are expecting Madeline to pass just south of the Big Island around 2 a.m. Thursday. But if the storm track shifts slightly to the north, the eye of the storm could pass over land.

The last hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii was Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which hit Kauai, Chevalier said.

A second Pacific hurricane, called Lester, is still far from Hawaii, and it is expected to weaken to a tropical storm as it passes the state, Chevalier said.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Oahu this week. The White House is tracking the weather developments closely, but it doesn't anticipate changing Obama's schedule.

The islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai were under a tropical storm watch, but there were no alerts for Oahu or Kauai.

On the Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was closing some areas Tuesday, and park officials planned for the coastal lava viewing area to close by Wednesday morning. Some camping areas were closing, but guests staying at Kilauea Military Camp and Volcano House were allowed to shelter in place.

Hawaii County, which covers the Big Island, urged residents to restock their emergency kits with a flashlight, fresh batteries, cash and first-aid supplies. It recommended that residents create evacuation plans and secure outdoor furniture.

Hawaiian Airlines said customers holding tickets to or from Hawaii's Big Island from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 would be allowed a one-time reservation change without a fee.

Associated Press writer Josh Lederman in Washington contributed to this report.</s>Hawaii's Big Island is bracing itself as Hurricane Madeline, a category 3 storm, approaches.

The National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning for Big Island on Tuesday. Hurricane-force winds can thus be expected to sweep the island within 48 hours, according to the Weather Channel.

Residents in Big Island are stocking up on food and water and bracing themselves in power outages. A second storm, Hurricane Lester, is following in Madeline's path.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Oahu on Thursday to give a keynote speech at the opening of the World Conservation Congress - a major meeting of thousands of delegates, including heads of state, scientists and policy makers.

The White House is tracking the weather developments closely, but it doesn't anticipate changing Obama's schedule.

Forecasters are urging residents and visitors to prepare promptly in order to protect their lives and property.

Big Island resident Mitzi Bettencourt has boarded up windows in her brother's oceanfront home.

She and her neighbors are hoping their roofs stay intact and their houses don't float away.

Hawaii County, which covers the Big Island, urged residents to stock up with food, water, flashlights, batteries and first aid supplies.

Hurricane Madeline, which has sustained winds of 125 mph, was 370 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii Tuesday evening.

It could bring up to 15 inches of rain on the Big Island, with chances of flash flooding and mudslides.

Madeline is expected to weaken but likely to remain a hurricane as it passes the state, meteorologist Chevy Chevalier said Tuesday.

This would be the first time Big Island has been hit by a hurricane. The last hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii was Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which hit Kauai Island, according to Chevalier.

The Big Island, officially known as Hawaii, is home to only 185,000 people, compared to Oahu - which includes the capital Honolulu - which has almost a million people.

A second Pacific hurricane called Lester is still far from Hawaii. Lester is expected to be a tropical storm by the time it passes the state.

But it could bring back possible hurricane conditions during the weekend, according to a warning by the National Weather Service on Tuesday evening.

Hurricane Lester, a category 4 storm with winds of 130 mph, is currently 1,300 miles east of Hilo, also heading for Hawaii.</s>Hurricane churns toward Hawaii; people stock up, board up

HILO, Hawaii (AP) — Preparing for what could be the first hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii in years, residents on the Big Island are stocking up on food and water and seeking shelter for their animals.

The National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning as the storm dubbed Madeline churned west Tuesday toward the island, urging residents to rush through preparations to protect themselves and their property and expect hurricane conditions within the next 36 hours.

Peggy Beckett, a retiree and beekeeper, stopped at a Hilo supermarket to pick up some onions bagels, cheese, cold cuts and salad to add to her canned food at home. She has a cooler with ice in it plus a portable burner and batteries to get her through the storm.

"There's always a lot of disbelief on the island that the storms will really be as big and bad as forecast," Beckett said.

The Keaau resident and her partner made sure to put extra rocks on their beehives to protect them from the storm.

Noting the lines of people inside the supermarket, Beckett said she thought people were getting prepared but weren't panicking.

Hurricane Madeline, which was downgraded from Category 3 to 2 Tuesday, was weakening as it approached the islands. But it's expected to remain a hurricane as it passes the state, Chevalier said.

Forecasters are expecting Madeline to pass just south of the Big Island around 2 a.m. Thursday. But if the storm track shifts slightly to the north, the eye of the storm could pass over land.

"Hopefully our roofs stay on, and our houses don't float way or get blown away," said Big Island resident Mitzi Bettencourt, who boarded up walls of glass windows at her brother's oceanfront home. "It's like, 'Oh my God, are we going to get flattened or what?' "

Bettencourt, who lives in a subdivision called Kapoho Vacationland, manages several vacation rental properties and has her own home to worry about, which sits a few blocks from the ocean. She and her neighbors were stocking their pantries, stowing away lawn furniture and preparing for power outages.

"If they're not prepared now, they should get prepared fast," said Chevy Chevalier, a meteorologist with the weather service.

The last hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii was Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which hit Kauai, Chevalier said.

A second Pacific hurricane, called Lester, is still far from Hawaii, and it is expected to weaken to a tropical storm as it passes the state, Chevalier said.

Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation for both storms, which will allow the state to quickly spend money to alleviate disasters. "I urge you to take immediate steps to protect your families, loved ones, employees and property," Ige said in a statement.

The state Department of Education announced public schools would be closed Wednesday and Thursday in anticipation of severe weather, and about a dozen schools were turned into emergency shelters.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Oahu this week. The White House is tracking the weather developments closely, but it doesn't anticipate changing Obama's schedule.

The islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai were under a tropical storm watch, but there were no alerts for Oahu or Kauai.

On the Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was closing some areas Tuesday, and park officials planned for the coastal lava viewing area to close by Wednesday morning. Some camping areas were closing, but guests staying at Kilauea Military Camp and Volcano House were allowed to shelter in place.

The U.S. Coast Guard asked crews of barges and ships to prepare to leave Hilo Harbor and told ocean-going vessels to seek sheltered waters until storm conditions subside. Captain Mike Long said he expected to close Hilo Harbor to all traffic by 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Hawaii County, which covers the Big Island, urged residents to restock their emergency kits with a flashlight, fresh batteries, cash and first-aid supplies. It recommended that residents create evacuation plans and secure outdoor furniture.

Hawaiian Airlines said customers holding tickets to or from Hawaii's Big Island from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 would be allowed a one-time reservation change without a fee.

Bussewitz reported from Honolulu. AP writer Josh Lederman in Washington contributed to this report.</s>Residents of Hawaii's Big Island were evacuating animals and stockpiling water Tuesday, bracing for what could be the first hurricane to make landfall in the state in decades.

The National Weather Service issued a hurricane warning as the major Category 2 storm dubbed Madeline hurtled west toward the island, urging residents to rush through preparations to protect themselves and their property and expect hurricane conditions within the next 36 hours.

"Hopefully our roofs stay on, and our houses don't float way or get blown away," said Big Island resident Mitzi Bettencourt, who boarded up walls of glass windows at her brother's oceanfront home. "It's like, 'Oh my God, are we going to get flattened or what?' "

Bettencourt, who lives in a subdivision called Kapoho Vacationland, manages several vacation rental properties and has her own home to worry about, which sits a few blocks from the ocean. She and her neighbors were stocking their pantries, stowing away lawn furniture and preparing for power outages.

"If they're not prepared now, they should get prepared fast," said Chevy Chevalier, a meteorologist with the weather service.

Hurricane Madeline, which was downgraded from Category 3 to 2 Tuesday, was weakening as it approached the islands. But it's expected to remain a hurricane as it passes the state, Chevalier said.

Forecasters are expecting Madeline to pass just south of the Big Island around 2 a.m. Thursday. But if the storm track shifts slightly to the north, the eye of the storm could pass over land.

The last hurricane to make landfall in Hawaii was Hurricane Iniki in 1992, which hit Kauai, Chevalier said.

A second Pacific hurricane, called Lester, is still far from Hawaii, and it is expected to weaken to a tropical storm as it passes the state, Chevalier said.

Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation for both storms, which will allow the state to quickly spend money to alleviate disasters. "I urge you to take immediate steps to protect your families, loved ones, employees and property," Ige said in a statement.

The state Department of Education announced public schools would be closed Wednesday and Thursday in anticipation of severe weather, and about a dozen schools were turned into emergency shelters.

President Barack Obama is scheduled to visit Oahu this week. The White House is tracking the weather developments closely, but it doesn't anticipate changing Obama's schedule.

The islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai were under a tropical storm watch, but there were no alerts for Oahu or Kauai.

On the Big Island, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park was closing some areas Tuesday, and park officials planned for the coastal lava viewing area to close by Wednesday morning. Some camping areas were closing, but guests staying at Kilauea Military Camp and Volcano House were allowed to shelter in place.

The U.S. Coast Guard asked crews of barges and ships to prepare to leave Hilo Harbor and told ocean-going vessels to seek sheltered waters until storm conditions subside. Captain Mike Long said he expected to close Hilo Harbor to all traffic by 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Hawaii County, which covers the Big Island, urged residents to restock their emergency kits with a flashlight, fresh batteries, cash and first-aid supplies. It recommended that residents create evacuation plans and secure outdoor furniture.

Hawaiian Airlines said customers holding tickets to or from Hawaii's Big Island from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1 would be allowed a one-time reservation change without a fee.
A hurricane watch is issued for the island of Hawaii as Hurricane Madeline approaches.