Hurricane Lane is barreling down on the Hawaiian Islands — and tourists who are in the region or planning upcoming trips need to get prepared. Hurricane Lane is currently a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds speeds of 120 miles per hour, having been downgraded from a more severe Category 5 storm. Before it was downgraded, it was only the second Category 5 hurricane to come within 350 miles of Hawaii on record, according to the National Weather Service. Oahu, Hawaii and Maui counties, which include the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe, were under a hurricane warning, meaning that hurricane conditions are expected within 36 hours, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Kauai remained under hurricane watch, which means that hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. The storm is expected to cause damage throughout Hawaii. Tropical storm- and hurricane-force winds are expected to affect most of the state, and rainfall in some areas could exceed 30 inches. As of Thursday morning, the Big Island had already received 12 inches of rain. In advance of the storm, President Trump approved Hawaii Gov. David Ige’s request for a presidential disaster declaration, which authorizes the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide assistance to the state. Don’t miss:With the Kilauea volcano still erupting, read this before visiting Hawaii “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,” the Hawaii Tourism Authority said in a public advisory. Here is what tourists need to know about how Hurricane Lane is affecting travel in Hawaii: Major tourist attractions are closing Throughout the state, popular attractions including beaches and national parks have already closed in preparation for the storm’s arrival. All beach parks along the western coast from Kohala to South Point in Hawaii County, also known as the Big Island, are closed until further notice, local news outlet KHON2 reported. Beach parks island-wide on Oahu began closing Thursday. Beaches across the state are expected to experience storm surges and dangerous surf as the storm approaches. Haleakala National Park, which is located on Maui, has also announced it would close Wednesday in preparation for the hurricane, and cabin reservations through Friday were cancelled. The park will remain closed through Friday evening, at which point park management will evaluate when it can reopen. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has not issued an advisory regarding the hurricane, but most of the park was already closed due to ongoing seismic and volcanic activity tied to the eruption of Kilauea. State parks and campgrounds throughout the state also closed in advance of the storm, with permits being retracted. Boat tours to the U.S.S. Arizona Memorial, which commemorates the sinking of the naval vessel during the attack on Pearl Harbor, have been suspended ahead of the hurricane. The Pearl Harbor Visitor Center is also closing early, and will remain closed until further notice, to let staff have time to prepare for the storm, the National Park Service told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Other popular tourist attractions including the Honolulu Zoo, the Waikiki Aquarium, Bishop Museum and Iolani Palace were closed for the storm, with some expected to remain closed through the weekend. How science is working to turn sugarcane into fuel for jet travel Airlines are offering waivers Multiple airlines, including Delta DAL, +1.76% , Hawaiian HA, +1.18% , Alaska ALK, +2.04% , American AAL, +2.97% and United UAL, +1.81% , are waiving rebooking fees for flights to and from multiple airports throughout Hawaii. Policies vary, but generally the travel must have been booked before Aug. 21 to be eligible for a waiver. Most airlines are issuing waivers for trips set to take place between Aug. 22 and 25. Generally, the waivers may only be used if the traveler books a new seat in the same cabin (economy or first-class) and to and from the same destinations as their original ticket. Most airlines also require that the new itinerary take place within a couple weeks of the original trip. Some airlines are also offering refunds for travelers whose trips are being cancelled as a result of the storm. Also see:Hawaii wants to ban certain sunscreens to protect coral reefs—should you stop using them? Hawaiian Airlines currently has a notice on its website warning that customers calling its reservations department should expect longer-than-normal hold times as a result of the high call volume. Those in Hawaii already should try to book flights out of the state as soon as possible, according to Sarah Schlichter, senior editor of travel website SmarterTravel. “You should try to fly out early if you can,” Schlichter said. “This way emergency services can focus on the locals during the storm.” Travel insurance will cover changes in plans Consumers with travel insurance will be covered for any changes in plans made as a result of the storm. But there’s a catch: Their policy must have been purchased before Hurricane Lane became a named storm on Aug. 15. If it was purchased after that point, it won’t cover hurricane-related travel changes, said Steven Benna, a marketing specialist with travel insurance comparison website Squaremouth. A variety of situations are covered by travel insurance, Benna said, such as if a hotel is evacuated or a flight is cancelled. Travelers who have not yet made their way to Hawaii may also be eligible for trip cancellation coverage now that hurricane warnings are in effect. Those already in Hawaii who have travel insurance can also get reimbursed for any additional expenses incurred if they choose to book transportation out of the state. “There’s a maximum amount of coverage based on the trip cost,” Benna said, which usually represents between 100 and 200% of trip cost. “That money can go toward unused portions of the trip as well as transportation-related expenses to get home.” Shelters are opening Emergency officials had not ordered evacuations along the coasts throughout Hawaii as of Thursday morning, but shelters were opening throughout the state to house those who feel unsafe where they are. Tourists staying in hotels and vacation rentals located in flood or evacuation zones would be affected if an evacuation were to be ordered though, particularly if the property is located on the shore. Those staying in an evacuation zone should have medications and clothing packed in preparation. Emergency authorities in Hawaii advised that tourists staying in hotels check with front desk staff to learn what emergency accommodations are available. Public shelters throughout the state will accept tourists. Read more: Hawaii and Guatemala aren’t the only tourist destinations with active volcanoes Those in Honolulu can download the city’s mobile app, HNL.Info, to receive emergency push alerts and emails. If they are not evacuated, tourists stuck in Hawaii during the storm should expect to shelter in place at their hotel or vacation rental as it passes. Those staying in the state should gather non-perishable food items, a flashlight with batteries and water from a local grocery store, in case the storm disrupts power or other services. Before the storm arrives, travelers should make sure their cell phones are fully charged, and during the storm they should keep curtains closed and consider taking shelter in a room without windows, Schlichter recommended.<doc-sep>WAILEA, Hawaii — For the latest on Hurricane Lane and Hawaii, check out Thursday’s live updates. Hawaii was bracing on Wednesday for possible landfall from Hurricane Lane, a rare Category 4 storm in the Pacific Ocean that forecasters are warning could bring whipping winds, flooding and high surf. The storm, which rose to Category 5 strength on Tuesday evening, weakened slightly on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. As of 11 p.m. local time Wednesday, it was about 235 miles south of the island of Hawaii, also known as the Big Island, with wind speeds of 145 miles per hour. Hurricane Lane was expected to turn northward on Friday toward the islands, with the center of the storm moving over land over the next two days, the Weather Service said. While its wind speeds have decreased over the last day, the storm was expected to remain a hurricane if it makes landfall. As the hurricane raced toward Hawaii, the state issued an emergency declaration and closed government offices, including public schools. Tourists and residents were closely following the hurricane’s path and the latest forecasts, with some visitors rushing to airports on Wednesday to try to book flights to leave before the worst of the storm was expected to arrive.<doc-sep>Steer like this to stay out of accidents in the snow TOPSHOT - A city worker drives through the flooded street during Hurricane Sally in downtown Pensacola, Florida on September 16, 2020. - Hurricane Sally barrelled into the US Gulf Coast early Wednesday, with forecasts of drenching rains that could provoke "historic" and potentially deadly flash floods.The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said the Category 2 storm hit Gulf Shores, Alabama at about 4:45 am (0945 GMT), bringing maximum sustained winds of about 105 miles (165 kilometers) per hour. "Historic life-threatening flooding likely along portions of the northern Gulf coast," the Miami-based center had warned late Tuesday, adding the hurricane could dump up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) of rain in some areas. (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images) Why snow and blackouts in Texas are a preview for all of us Storm chasing photographers take photos underneath a rotating supercell storm system in Maxwell, Nebraska on September 3, 2016. Although multiple tornado warnings were issued throughout the area, no funnel cloud touched down. / AFP / Josh Edelson / XGTY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE / MANDATORY CREDIT: "AFP PHOTO / Josh EDELSON" / NO MARKETING / NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS / DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS == (Photo credit should read JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images) Why hurricanes are so hard to predict IN SPACE - In this handout photo provided by NASA, Hurricane Patricia is seen from the International Space Station. The hurricane made landfall on the Pacfic coast of Mexico on October 23. (Photo by Scott Kelly/NASA via Getty Images) Larry Pierson, from the Isle of Palms, S.C., purchases bottled water from the Harris Teeter grocery store on the Isle of Palms in preparation for Hurricane Florence at the Isle of Palms S.C., Monday, Sept. 10, 2018. (AP Photo/Mic Smith) The Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) on NOAA-20 acquired this image of Hurricane Laura at 2:20 a.m. Central Daylight Time on August 26, 2020. (CNN) — Hurricane Lane weakened as it chugged toward Hawaii on Thursday, but officials warned residents that the storm was still a significant rainmaker. More than 19 inches of rain fell on a northeastern section of Hawaii’s Big Island during a 24-hour period, the National Weather Service said. The outer bands of the Category 3 cyclone pummeled Big Island on Thursday, triggering landslides and causing flooding that forced officials to close some roads. The center of the storm – which could become the first major cyclone to make landfall in the state in 26 years – is expected to move very close to the main islands or cross land through Friday, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said. For live updates on the storm, click here CNN Weather Hurricane Lane is shown in a satellite image from just after 11 a.m. HT Thursday. Officials fretted over the potential water impacts from the storm, which was moving at 6 mph. “Lane, while it has been downgraded, is wide and very moist. And it’s going to hang around for a while as it moves, because it is moving slowly,” Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said. “And that is why we are taking so much precaution here.” Tom Travis, administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Agency, said the islands almost certainly will have more water – rain, surf and surge – than infrastructure can handle. It could be so devastating Gov. David Ige has urged residents to set aside two weeks’ worth of food and water. He said Thursday that hurricane winds were expected to plow into the Big Island on Thursday night. The storm’s outer bands brought floodwaters to Hilo on the Big Island. Jonathan T. Correa recorded video using a drone over fields near Hilo Bay. The storm’s center, with maximum sustained winds near 125 mph, was in the Pacific about 190 miles south-southwest of the Big Island town of Kailua-Kona around 11 a.m. HT (5 p.m. ET). Forecaster Leigh Anne Eaton, from the Honolulu office of the National Weather Service, told reporters that Lane is moving into an area where wind shear will further weaken the storm. But the storm will still be a major hurricane as the eye passes Hawaii, she said. Forecasters think the storm will turn west – away from the islands – but are uncertain when that will happen. Track the storm here Rain causes landslides Landslides are a concern, with 10-30 inches of rain forecast through the weekend – and slides were already happening on the Big Island as the storm’s outer bands hit Thursday morning. On the Big Island’s northern tip, landslides were blocking parts of Route 19, the county civil defense agency said. About 3 to 19.15 inches of rain had already fallen on parts of the Big Island in the period from 9 a.m. Wednesday to 9 a.m. Thursday, the National Weather Service office in Honolulu said. Buses around Honolulu have been picking up some residents and taking them to shelters. All public schools canceled classes until further notice, and many state employees have been asked to stay home. Tropical storm force winds (39-73 mph) stretch out to 140 miles, so even if the hurricane doesn’t make landfall, it could have widespread impact. CNN Weather This forecast cone, created 5 p.m. ET Thursday (11 a.m. in Hawaii), shows the probable range of Hurricane Lane's center for five days. A hurricane warning is in effect for the Big Island as well as Maui County and Oahu – meaning hurricane conditions are expected there. Kauai and Niihau are under a hurricane watch, meaning hurricane conditions are possible and that winds of at least 39 mph are anticipated in the comings days. Why is Hurricane Lane so rare? The Central Pacific gets few hurricanes and tropical storms; the Atlantic or Eastern Pacific usually see many more named storms. Mario Tama/Getty Images North America A car is partially submerged in water from Hurricane Lane rainfall on the Big Island on Thursday. Hawaii is a small target in a vast ocean, and isn’t often threatened. Hawaii gets a named storm within 60 miles of its coastline about once every four years on average, forecasters say. Lane could become a further rarity if its center crosses land. Only two hurricanes have made landfall in Hawaii since the 1950s: Hurricane Dot in 1959, and Hurricane Iniki in 1992. Maui includes helicopters in emergency plans Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa told CNN affiliate KHON that a lot of rain will be “very problematic.” He is worried that if waves reach 20 feet on the south shore of Maui, roadways could be overwhelmed and tens of thousands of people could be cut off from emergency crews. RONEN ZILBERMAN/AFP/Getty Images Workers clean debris from a stream near Honolulu, trying to get ahead of water from the hurricane. Arakawa said officials are looking at emergency helicopter services in case they need to move people. “We’re going to have to just bear down and wait like everybody else to see what really happens when the storm hits us,” he told KHON. “I’m hoping and all us here are praying the storm dissipates and disappears, but from all indications we are going to have heavy flooding and high winds no matter where Lane decides to go.” CNN Weather Authorities are asking people to seek shelter before it’s too late or to stay in their homes if they believe those structures can withstand hurricane winds or storm surge. Many others are leaving. Long lines were seen at airports in Honolulu as hundreds of people tried to catch flights out of the islands before the storm comes closer. The 15 airports throughout the state will remain open as long they don’t suffer damage to their infrastructure or the debris “makes flight operations unsafe,” the Hawaii Department of Transportation said in a statement. Rain, rain, and more rain! Animation of forecast precipitation totals Wed-Sat afternoon. Flooding & landslides a big concern with #HurricaneLane. #HIwx pic.twitter.com/HQCnyBkH40 — NWSHonolulu (@NWSHonolulu) August 23, 2018 The US Coast Guard ordered Honolulu County ports closed Thursday. Hawaii and Maui County ports had already been closed. President Donald Trump approved a disaster declaration ahead of the storm.<doc-sep>
HONOLULU – A foot of rain spawned by the approach of Hurricane Lane soaked Hawaii's Big Island Thursday and forecasters warned some areas could see up to 30 inches before the storm turned westward during the weekend. From Oahu to the Big Island, Hawaiians stocked up on food, lined up at gas stations and hauled out generators as the outer bands of rain began inundating some islands with the approach of Hurricane Lane. Damaging tropical storm-force winds were expeced Thursday on the island of Hawaii and by nightfall on Oahu, with hurricane force-winds possible Friday, the weather service said. Tornadoes and large waterspouts are also possible. A flash flood warning was in effect on the Big Island as rain pounded the island at a rate of 1 to 2 inches per hour, causing severe flooding and closing at least one highway. A high surf warning remained in effect for all islands through Friday, with a sufp up to 25 feet along the Kau and Puna coasts. “Stay well away from the shoreline,” weather officials warned.“Large breaking surf, and dangerous currents make entering the water extremely hazardous. Anyone entering the water could face death.” By Thursday morning, Lane, with maximum sustained winds at 130 mph, was 210 miles from the Big Island of Hawaii and 305 miles south of Honolulu, moving on a northwesterly course at 7 mph. It was expected to pass very close to or over the islands Thursday and Friday, according to the National Weather Service, then likely turn west. “Hurricane Lane is not a well- behaved hurricane. Gov. David Ige said in a proclamation. "I’ve not seen such dramatic changes in the forecast track as I’ve seen with this storm. I urge our residents and visitors to take this threat seriously and prepare for a significant impact.” Officials opened shelters on the Big Island and on the islands of Maui, Molokai and Lanai on Wednesday. They urged those needing to use the Molokai shelter to get there soon because of concerns the main highway on the south coast of the island could become impassable. On the island of Oahu, shelters were scheduled to open Thursday. Officials were also working to help Hawaii’s sizable homeless population, many of whom live near beaches and streams that could flood. Officials warned the limited shelter space should be a “last resort” and aren’t designed to withstand winds greater than about 40 mph. “Whenever possible, the public should plan to shelter in place or stay with family or friends in homes outside of these hazard areas that were designed, built, or renovated to withstand anticipated conditions,” the city and county of Honolulu said in a news release. President Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration for the state Thursday morning, authorizing the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate relief efforts. But even as forecasters warned of the approach of dangerous winds, most people in Honolulu were relatively calm about the possibility of being hit by the first hurricane since Hawaii's statehood in 1959. "I'm not really worried. But better safe than sorry," said Pearl Ng, who filled her shopping cart with ramen noodles, bottled water and a box of Fig Newtons as she shopped at the Safeway store near downtown. "And if it doesn't happen, then we'll have these in the cupboard." More:As Hurricane Lane approaches Hawaii, Kilauea volcano simmers down In Honolulu, at Longs Drugs, lines stretched far back into the aisles, and the bottled water and canned food aisles were almost picked clean by 5 p.m. local time. Heads popped up as almost every cellphone in the store began emitting the ominous blat tone of an emergency warning that was automatically sent to everyone in the area that a Hurricane Warning was in effect. "That's the first one I've got," Sophie Granger said as she put her goods on the checkout conveyor. She was not buying up water but had grabbed a few batteries "just in case," she said. In the parking lot, Justin Pagba was delivering a room-sized generator for Longs. He skillfully maneuvered the large trailer into place under some trees where it would be accessible to the store. His company, Golden Equipment Transport of Waipahu, west of Honolulu, has been working hard since the hurricane emerged as a threat. He has been delivering generators to Longs and CVS Pharmacy all day. "We've set up five of these today, and we've got another five scheduled for tomorrow," he said.