Hawaii is facing the threat of flash flooding, mudslides and power outages as Tropical Storm Calvin passes south of the Big Island and Maui on Tuesday night and Wednesday.
The storm, which was a Category 3 hurricane last week, has weakened as it moved over cooler waters and encountered unfavorable winds. However, it still packs winds of 45 mph and could dump up to 10 inches of rain on some areas, mainly along the windward and southeast flank of the Big Island.
Hawaii Gov. Josh Green declared a state of emergency for the Big Island, where government offices are expected to close Wednesday. Tropical storm warnings are in effect for the island, where gusty winds over 40 mph could cause damage and outages.
The storm is also generating large swells that are spreading across the main Hawaiian islands, leading to a rapid increase in surf along east-facing shores. The National Hurricane Center warned that this elevated surf could cause life-threatening conditions along exposed shorelines.
Other islands, such as Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe, are under flood watches through Wednesday afternoon. They could see 3 to 6 inches of rain, with higher amounts possible in some locations.
Calvin is expected to continue moving westward to the south of the other Hawaiian islands and weaken further in the next few days. By the weekend, the storm is expected to dissipate.
Sources: MSN, Yahoo, CNN, The Washington Post
