Hawaii’s Big Island is facing a rare double threat as two hurricanes, Hurricane Hone and Hurricane Gilma, approach the region within days of each other. The first hurricane, Hone, brought heavy rain and winds to the island, causing a tropical storm warning to be issued. Although the storm did not make a direct hit, it still impacted the region significantly, with widespread rainfall and the risk of flash flooding.
As Hurricane Hone moves westward, it is expected to weaken but continue to bring gusty winds and rain to the smaller Hawaiian islands. The National Hurricane Center has also warned of dangerous surf and rip currents in the area. Thousands of utility customers were left without power as a result of the storm, with the majority of outages occurring on the Big Island.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Gilma, a major Category 3 hurricane, is also heading towards Hawaii. Although it is currently far east of the Big Island, it is forecasted to weaken as it approaches the region later in the week. The possibility of two named storms impacting the Hawaiian islands within such a short time frame is a rare occurrence, with the last instance happening in 1992.
In addition to Hurricane Gilma, a third system named Hector has developed west of Baja California. This tropical storm is expected to strengthen in the coming days, adding to the active hurricane season in the Pacific region. The National Hurricane Center is closely monitoring the progress of these storms to provide timely warnings and updates to residents in the affected areas.
Overall, the combination of Hurricane Hone, Hurricane Gilma, and Tropical Storm Hector underscores the unpredictable and dynamic nature of tropical weather systems. Residents in Hawaii and surrounding regions are urged to stay informed and prepared for any potential impacts from these storms as they continue to track towards the islands.