Last year, was a record setting year for East Pacific hurricanes. We saw a massive number of storms, including Patricia the strongest ever recorded in the area.
Hawaii had a number of close calls, but made it through relatively unscathed with only a few outer bands of tropical systems bringing rain and wind.
Earlier this year, Darby brought heavy rain in the middle of the night and some flash flooding, but most of the island chain was fine.
Now, we have two major hurricanes heading to the islands and there is a very good chance they will both bring a lot of trouble with them. Water near the islands are warm enough to sustain a storm at a category 2 or maybe 3 level, but some signs show them weakening just before a potential a few days from now in the Big Island. I think too much is made of the wind speed and not enough for rain and mudslide issues. The Big Island has two massive mountains, Mauna Loa and Mauna Kea, both over 10,000 feet and that will enhance rain.
The tourist industry usually winds down now because kids are going back to school, but there are still well over a million locals getting ready for at least one tropical system and maybe even a double whammy. Madeline and Lester are on the way.
Rob Carlmark
