Hurricane Lane: Hawaii WILL BE impacted says spokesman top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Lane is currently moving northward toward the main Hawaiian islands with maximum sustained winds of 105mph. The tropical cyclone is currently classified as a Category 2 storm, downgraded from Category 5 hurricane earlier in the week. Schools, shops and businesses have been closed as residents stock up on supplies after authorities urged people to set aside two weeks worth of food and water. Flash flooding, heavy rainfall and landslides are also expected to continue into the weekend according to the National Weather Service (NWS). Is Kahului airport open? Kahului Airport is the primary airport on the island of Maui and currently, the airport remains open. However, all American Airlines flights to and from the Maui airport have been cancelled. In a statement issued by the Department for transportation yesterday, “all the 15 airports located throughout the state and their associated runways continue to remain open and accessible. “State firefighters stationed at the airport facilities are ready to respond to situations if necessary,” the statement clarified. Hurricane Lane: Lane is currently moving northward toward the main Hawaiian islands Will Maui be hit by Hurricane Lane? Weather systems are hitting Maui county already. In National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) latest update, released 8am BST the hurricane is ‘lurking just south of the islands’. Although downgraded to a Category 2 storm as it approached the Hawaiian islands, the massive storm continues to pose a significant threat. Hurricane Lane: The tropical cyclone has been downgraded to a Category 2 storm Heavy rainfall has made its way to the island of Maui and conditions are predicted to further deteriorate. The Department for Transportation is still dealing with landslides, tree falls and power outages. Hundreds of people on Hawaii are currently without power. Residents are advised to avoid walking, swimming or driving through the flood waters. Hurricane Lane: Lane has maximum sustained winds at 105mph<doc-sep>A wildfire hit Maui on Friday near the tourist town as Lahaina as Hawaii preps for Hurricane Lane. One woman suffered burns to her hands and legs, and was flown to Honolulu for treatment. Though the cause remains unknown, the fire has burned more than 300 acres (121 hectares), but rains expected from the hurricane could provide relief. A wildfire on Maui has likely incinerated homes near the tourist town of Lahaina while forcing people from an evacuation center opened as Hurricane Lane nears the island, officials said Friday. "It is very likely that homes have been destroyed but our guys are too busy fighting the fire to be able to confirm structure damage," Maui County spokesman Rod Antone said. More than two dozen people taking shelter at a school were moved to a civic center because of the blaze. One woman suffered burns to her hands and legs, and was flown to Honolulu for treatment, Antone said. The fire has burned more than 300 acres (121 hectares), but rains expected from the hurricane could provide relief. The cause of the fire is unknown. "We do not know if it's storm-related. We have no point of origin for any obvious way that this could have started," Antone said. Strong, swirling winds linked to the hurricane helped spread the fire quickly. Josh Galinato was trying to sleep when he smelled smoke in his Lahaina apartment. He opened his front door to see flames charging over a hill. "I was like, 'Are they burning the wood they just cleaned off the road?'" he said from a hotel where he was staying. "I opened up my front door and I just saw the fire spreading and coming downhill." He went outside where neighbors were watching the flames consume brush. He said he had no warning from officials, but he and neighbors honked horns to alert others to the danger. "I was just worried about tropical rainstorms and just wind and there you go, there's a fire," he said. "I didn't expect that." Meanwhile, officials say Hurricane Lane could bring severe flooding and mudslides to Hawaii. FEMA said on Friday that three urban search-and-rescue teams were in the state, along with food for up to six days and at least 80 generators. The agency says that about 2,000 people are currently in shelters, mostly in Oahu.<doc-sep>top stories SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.<doc-sep>Hawaii: Webcam shows strong winds as Hurricane Lane nears top stories direct to your inbox SUBSCRIBE Invalid email Sign up to receive our rundown of the day'sdirect to your inbox When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they'll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. Our Privacy Notice explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time. Hurricane Lane is "lurking just south of the islands bringing strong winds and significant flooding to some areas”, the Central Pacific Hurricane Centre at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) said in its 8am update. Lane has been downgraded to a tropical storm but still maintains maximum sustained wind speeds of about 70mph. Its speed has slowed to 2mph. More than two feet of water (60cm) has fallen on Big Island within the last 24 hours triggering flash flooding and landslides, while a hurricane warning remains in efffect for Oahu and Maui Country. More than 2,000 people are currently taking refuge in 36 evacuation shelters across Hawaii. Brock Long, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), tweeted earlier: ”If you're in Hawaii, it's critical that you heed the warnings of local officials and stay aware of your surroundings.” Find the latest path updates and live tracking information on Hurricane Lane here. All times in BST. 9.00pm BST update: Power back Power has been restored to all Hawaiian Electric customers. The Oahu outage has ended with Hawaiian Electric confirming on Twitters all of their customers were now with power. They Tweeted: “Repairs completed and power restored to all customers. Mahalo.” 7.30pm BST update: 8am NOAA update Lane is still “moving slowly south” of Hawaii’s western islands, NOAA said in its latest release tonight at 7pm BST. As of 8am, Lane was located about 115 miles south-south-west of Honolulu and about 150 miles south-south-east of Lihue. Wind speeds of 60mph (95km/h) were recorded. A tropical storm warning remains in place for Oahu and Maui County, while a tropical storm watch has been highlighted for Kauai and Niihau islands. NOAA said in a statement: “Lane's outer rain bands will produce excessive rainfall this weekend, which could lead to additional flash flooding and landslides. “Lane is expected to produce additional rain accumulations of 5 to 10 inches in some areas.” 7.20pm BST update: Miltary taskforce heads to Hawaii to help with recovery A special military response team is heading to Hawaii to help with the Hurricane Lane response efforts. The US Army Corps of Engineers, Baltimore District, said it today deployed five personnel to the islands, consisting of a military officer and four civilians. Dorie Murphy, chief of emergency management for the Baltimore District, said: "I'm confident that Baltimore District's highly competent and experienced debris management team will be a true asset to the larger response mission." The team are able to provide debris management assistance for removing large amounts of debris from sites. A mobile communications vehicle will also be in use to provide radio, satellite and cellular assistance. 6pm: Drone footage capture shocking extent of flooding A shocking video taken by a drone has captured the devastating destruction of flash flooding caused by Hurricane Lane. Taken above the town of Hilo on Big Island, the footage shows a brown muddy lake where houses and streets should be seen. The area is barely recognisable with just a few rooftops on view along with trees. 5.45pm BST update: Can you still fly to Hawaii? Hawaii’s airports have remained opened despite Hurricane Lane's arrival but some flights were cancelled at Honolulu International Airport and Kahului Airport on Maui. Hawaii Governor David Ige has told travellers to expect congestion at airports this weekend. Hawaii Tourism Authority said on its website: “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.” American Airlines was criticised yesterday for not offering customers refunds. However other airlines are offering travel waivers and alternative arrangements. Click on the airline below to find out more. Hawaiian Airlines United Airline Delta Airlines Alaska Airlines 5.20pm BST update: NWS Honolulu reiterates threat of flash flooding The National Weather Service's Honolulu office said: "Regardless of the storm's track, life threatening flash flooding, along with locally strong winds and possible isolated tornadoes, will continue to extend far beyond the center's location. "Do not focus on the exact forecast track or intensity of Lane." 4.07pm BST update: NOAA 5am update In its 5am update (4pm BST), NOAA said Lane was “moving slowly south of the western Hawaiian islands” at a speed of 3mph. A tropical storm warning for Hawaii County was discontinued but remains in effect for Oahu and Maui County. Lane could still produce 10 inches of rain in some areas and tropical storm conditions are still possible for Kauai, NOAA warned. The maximum wind speed is around 60mph (95km/h). Lane is now about 110m miles (175km) south-south-west of Honolulu and 165 miles (265km) south-south-east of Lihue/ 3.40pm BST update: Evacuations continue as flash flooding ravages Hilo Evacuations have been carried out in Hilo due to flash floods, according to the latest public information report issued by The National Weather Service at 3.43pm BST (4.43am local time) today. A NWS notice statement said: “Significant flash flooding has occurred in multiple areas across the north east and east facing slopes of the island. “Several evacuations occurred in Hilo, with water rescues taking place at Kaiulani Street.” Sections of Highways 19 and 130 have been closed, in addition to numerous other roads. A flash flood warning remains in place for Hilo, Waimea and Volcano on Big Island until 4.30pm BST (5.30am local time) today. Hurricane Lane path: Radar of the torrential rainfall in Hawaii Hurricane Lane path: A flash flood warning remains in effect for parts of Hawaii until 4.30pm BST 3.30pm: Kat Hopps takes over live reporting 2.38pm update: Could Lane break records with its rainfall?<doc-sep>
EMBED >More News Videos This 300-acre fire is a bizarre occurrence, given that everyone in Maui has been preparing for Hurricane Lane. But so far, there has been no rain but the winds have increased dramatically, fueling the fire. Winds from #hurricaneLane fueling brush fire in Kaanapali in Maui. Residents have been evacuated and now they’re hoping the rain comes soon. #bizarre pic.twitter.com/JrWDPmXVqt — Lyanne Melendez (@LyanneMelendez) August 24, 2018 LAHAINA, Hawaii (KGO) -- Hurricane Lane has been downgraded to a Category 1 storm, still dumping rain on Hawaii as it moves north.It's still a very dangerous storm because of the extreme rainfall - 31 inches recorded on the Big Island.Ironically, Maui could use some rain because there are two brush fires being fueled by the strong winds.On the Big Island, people were helping others evacuate as Hurricane Lane unleashed torrential rain, producing major flooding. As predicted, landslides have already threatened to do more damage.Power outages affected about 4,000 customers on the Big Island.According to the Red Cross, more than 1,500 people spent the night in 36 shelters on the islands. "We haven't really faced a hurricane of this magnitude as far as I can remember," said Mayor of Maui Alan Arakawa.Then in the morning hours, a new threat emerged in Maui - brush fires starting in Lahaina and moving up the west side of the island. The winds from the hurricane and dry conditions were fueling these fires.ABC7 Meteorologist Mike Nicco says as the hurricane comes closer to Maui, those winds will pick up. "A hurricane is coming, the last thing you want is rain because you know there's going to be flooding," Nicco said. "You've already seen the flooding on the Big Island and that's what's coming, but to help out that fire, you could use some rain and so far they haven't seen much. "One woman was treated for burns and some residents in Kaanapali and Lahaina were evacuated, including former Bay Area news photographer Don McCuaig. He lives near the area where the fire is now spreading in Kaanapali Hillside, and shared video of the blaze. "The fire is literally going horizontally," McCuaig said. "They have evacuated everybody out. Our street is being evacuated. "According to the mayor of Maui, the strong winds have prevented crews from using the fire department's helicopter to drop water on the fires.