Hawaii May Dodge Direct Hit by Ana

Photo by AccuWeather.com

AccuWeather.com is reporting that Hawaii is likely to escape a direct hit by future Hurricane Ana, but will still face some hazards this weekend.

Ana is on the verge of becoming a hurricane as it tracks westward over the warm waters of the central Pacific. Ana will continue on that track through Thursday before taking a turn to the northwest Friday and through this weekend, according to the report. 

Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie issued an emergency proclamation on Wednesday in anticipation of the storm's arrival.

The proclamation, which includes all of the main Hawaiian Islands, allows the state to draw upon funds for protective measures, Abercrombie said in a news release. 

It also allows easier access to emergency resources at the state and federal levels, along with the suspension of certain laws as needed for emergency purposes.

The AccuWeather.com Hurricane Center expects that turn to be gradual with an area of high pressure preventing the hurricane from curving onto or through the islands. Such a track would keep the strongest and most destructive winds offshore. The same cannot be said for other impacts, which will spread across Hawaii in an east-to-west fashion late Friday through Sunday.

The Big Island, mainly southern areas, and Kauai are at greatest risk of experiencing flooding rainfall and tropical storm-force winds. Such winds could cause tree damage and power outages, while isolated mudslides may result. The Hawaii State Department of Education announced on Wednesday that Hawaii Island public schools will be closed on Friday as a result of the pending storm.

Based on Ana's current forecast path, downpours and winds of 40 mph could graze the other islands. Localized flash flooding and power outages would result, including in Honolulu and Hilo.

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