After suffering the wrath of Hurricane Lane, Hawaii once again must endure Tropical Strom Olivia, which made landfall Wednesday on the island of Maui. The storm passed south of Oahu and weakened as it dumped moderate to heavy rain that flooded roads.
A tropical storm warning was in effect for Oahu and Maui County. The storm, which also passed over Lanai, had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph and moved west at 20 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
Because the tropical storm was still dangerous, Maui Police urged motorists to stay off roads because wind and rain had not subsided. Some homes were also evacuated in Maui County while a flash-flood warning was in effect for much of Maui.
Olivia was forecast to weaken but will remain a tropical storm for the “next day or so,” the hurricane center said. Flash-flood watches remain in effect for all four Hawaiian counties. Additionally, the Maui and Honolulu counties have high-surf warnings.
Residents were warned to prepare for an increase in rain as the storm is expected to produce 5 to 10 inches of rain, though some areas could see as much as 15 inches. Large swells from the storm also could “result in dangerously high and potentially damaging surf, mainly along exposed east facing shores,” the center said.
As a result, Gov. David Ige requested a presidential emergency declaration for federal assistance.
By: Maytinee Kramer
