Expect hurricane, forecasters warn

Hurricane Flossie continued on a path that would take it south of the Big Island tomorrow, but forecasters urged residents of all islands to be prepared if the storm veers north.

"A northward shift in the track could potentially bring hurricane conditions to the Big Island," the National Weather Service said.

Packing 135 mph winds, Flossie was expected to weaken late today and tomorrow, but potentially destructive winds extend more than 100 miles from the storm's center, forecasters added. A Category 4 hurricane has sustained winds of 131 to 155 mph and a storm surge that raises seas 13 to 18 feet above normal, according to the National Weather Service.

The southern sections of the Big Island looked particularly vulnerable yesterday.

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Hurricane Flossie, packing 135 mph winds, continued on a path that would take it south of the Big Island tomorrow, but forecasters urged Hawaii residents to be prepared if the storm takes a sudden turn.

"A northward shift in the track could potentially bring hurricane conditions to the Big Island," the National Weather Service said.

Hurricane Preparedness Tips The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management recommends: » A family disaster plan. Discuss how you will contact each other if separated and how you will get back together. Also make sure you have a plan for your pet. » A disaster supplies kit with enough food and water for three to seven days, medicines, toiletries, clothes and blankets in case you have to evacuate your home. » Keep a battery-operated radio, flashlight and spare batteries on hand at all times. » For those in frequently flooded areas, keep materials such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting and lumber to protect property. » Know the location of your nearest hurricane shelter. Learn shelter locations by calling state or county civil defense agencies or by going online to www.scd.state.hi.us. On the Net For the latest information on the storm, visit the National Weather Service's Central Pacific Hurricane Center at www.prh.noaa.gov/cphc. The site also has links to the state and county civil defense agencies.

At 11 last night, the storm was about 585 miles southeast of Hilo and 795 miles southeast of Honolulu, moving west-northwest at about 14 mph, said forecasters. That speed and direction is expected to continue through tonight.

A Category 4 hurricane, Flossie was expected to weaken late today and tomorrow, but potentially destructive winds extend more than 100 miles from the storm's center, forecasters added. A Category 4 hurricane has sustained winds of 131 to 155 mph and a storm surge that raises seas 13 to 18 feet above normal, according to the National Weather Service.

The current forecast was for winds of up to 74 mph to hit the southern part of the Big Island late tomorrow.

"The weakening process looks much slower," said Roy Matsuda, lead forecaster at the Honolulu office of the National Weather Service. "It will keep more of its juice. It won't be a tropical storm. It'll be a weak or minimal hurricane."

On the Big Island, emergency workers mobilized yesterday afternoon to prepare for the potentially devastating hurricane, Mayor Harry Kim said.

"You always prepare for the worst-case scenario and hope for the best," Kim said.

State and county civil defense officials also remained on alert.

Two Air Force Reserve WC-130J hurricane tracker aircraft, dispatched from Mississippi, flew into the storm to gather measurements yesterday afternoon. The planes are part of the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron, based at Keesler Air Force Base near Biloxi.

The state-of-the-art WC-130J measures surface winds directly below the aircraft.

Even though the eye of the storm could miss the Hawaiian Islands, Flossie might still bring strong wind and heavy rain, forecasters said.

The last time a hurricane hit Hawaii was in 1992, when Iniki ravaged Kauai, killing six people and causing $2.5 billion in damage.

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