Hurricane Lane approaching Hawaii at Category 4 strength

UPDATE @ 12:40 p.m. (Aug 22)

Hurricane Lane has weakened slightly to a category 4 storm prompting hurricane watches and warnings to be posted throughout the islands. During the last pass by the hurricane hunters, sustained winds were recorded near 155mph with gusts around 190mph.

Hurricane-force winds (>74mph) extend out 40 miles from the center of the storm with Tropical Storm force winds (>39mph) outward up to 140mph. The current forecast track places the outer edge of these winds to reach the Big Island by Thursday morning and increase, especially near Honolulu, through Friday as this storm moves dangerously close. According to the National Hurricane Center for the Central Pacific, damaging winds and life threatening flash flooding will be possibles through Saturday.

FIRST REPORT: 

An intense storm in the Pacific Ocean grew to a Category 5 hurricane Tuesday evening prompting fear and preparation from Hawaii residents.

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At the last measuring by weather officials, Hurricane Lane had maximum sustained winds of 160 mph.  The center of the storm was also about 320 miles south-southeast of South Point on Hawaii's Big Island.

Gov. David Ige signed an emergency proclamation ahead of the storm and urged residents to sign up for emergency alerts according to the Associated Press.

A Hurricane Warning has been issued for the Big Island, a Hurricane Watch continues for Maui County. A Hurricane Watch has also been issued for Honolulu County

Forecasters expect lane to turn northwest toward the state Wednesday.

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