Hawaii governor declares state of emergency as Tropical Storm Calvin threatens to deliver strong winds and torrential rain to the Big Island
Tropical Storm Calvin strengthened Tuesday as it continued to approach Hawaii’s Big Island, where more than a million people are under a state of emergency and a tropical storm warning is in effect.
Packing winds of 50 mph, Calvin was about 140 miles south of Hilo late Tuesday, according to an update from the National Hurricane Center.
Calvin is forecast to pass south of Hawaii County tonight, bringing a period of flash flooding, dangerous surf and damaging winds. Calvin is expected to weaken as it moves westward to the south of the other Hawaiian Islands Wednesday and Wednesday night. https://t.co/StSnEHgzif pic.twitter.com/odI4Ft6dlg
— NWSHonolulu (@NWSHonolulu) July 19, 2023
The storm threatens to deliver strong winds and heavy rainfall that could result in flash flooding and mudslides. Calvin is expected to remain a tropical storm for a day and a half before weakening.
“Calvin is forecast to pass south of Hawaii County tonight, bringing a period of flash flooding, dangerous surf and damaging winds. Calvin is expected to weaken as it moves westward to the south of the other Hawaiian Islands Wednesday and Wednesday night,” the National Weather Service in Honolulu said.
Between 4 and 8 inches of rain are expected, with some areas seeing up to 10 inches, mainly along the windward and southeast flank of the island of Hawaii, colloquially known as the Big Island.
Rainfall of 3 to 6 inches are expected on the windward areas of Maui, and 2 to 4 inches of rain could fall elsewhere in the state.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency Tuesday for the Big Island, where government offices are expected to close Wednesday.
“Non-essential employees affected by the closing of those offices should not report to work and shall be granted Administrative Leave,” the governor’s office said.
Tuesday night, swells generated by Calvin were forecast to begin spreading across the main Hawaiian islands, leading to a rapid increase in surf along east-facing shores into Wednesday. This elevated surf will likely cause life-threatening conditions along exposed shorelines.