With maximum sustained winds slowing to 155 mph, Lane was downgraded from a Cat 5 storm to the Cat 4 level on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale as it surged westerly across the Pacific Ocean toward the Big Island. More weakening was predicted, but the weather service said that “Lane is forecast to remain a dangerous hurricane as it draws closer to the Hawaiian Islands.”

The hurricane was about 465 miles (804 kilometers) southeast of Honolulu before dawn Wednesday and The National Weather Service extended a hurricane warning for Hawaii’s Big Island to include the island of Maui. A hurricane warning was in effect for all Hawaii County and Maui county, including the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe. A hurricane watch remained in effect for Oahu and other smaller islands, meaning tropical storm-force winds, excessive rain and large swells could arrive starting Wednesday. Krippner said that, in addition to the ash, Pinatubo produced lots of pyroclastic deposits – made of a hot gases and volcanic matter – which led to flooding, but she calls Kilauea’s outburst “such a different case.’’

Nevertheless, major flooding is likely with the amount of rain predicted to get unleashed by Hurricane Lane. Hurricanes rarely make landfall in Hawaii and the last major storm to strike the island was nearly three decades ago, when Hurricane Iniki barrelled into the island of Kauai, leaving six people dead and $3 billion in damages. Governor David Ige on Tuesday declared a state of emergency on the Big Island to help provide relief for damage from the hurricane. In preparation for Hurricane Lane, state officials have closed schools and public offices in the counties affected while residents rushed to stores to stock up on water and food.
Hurricane Lane strengthens to a Category 5 hurricane for around three hours as it heads toward Hawaii, before returning to Category 4.