Tropical Storm Horn passed about 175 miles south of the Hawaiian island of Kauai early Monday, leaving behind heavy rain and the possibility of flash flooding, according to the National Hurricane Center.
The Horn strengthened into a hurricane overnight and gradually approached the Big Island of Hawaii. By Sunday evening, it had recorded maximum sustained winds of 75 mph and was a Category 1 storm about 160 miles south-southwest of Honolulu.
However, the NHC’s 5 a.m. update confirmed that Horn had been downgraded to a tropical storm and was continuing to move away from Hawaii, with no coastal watches or warnings in effect.
The hurricane is weakening after maximum sustained winds of 85 mph were recorded early Sunday, according to data from the National Hurricane Center, which said the Horn is expected to weaken to a tropical storm by early Monday.
Residents on the island could be hit with 6 to 12 inches of rain, with an additional 3 to 5 inches expected on south-facing slopes, which could lead to flooding. “Life-threatening” high surf is also expected on the island on Sunday, the hurricane center said.
Flood warnings were in effect until 9:15 p.m. local time for much of the island, including Hilo and Waimea, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu.
Some flights have been canceled at Hilo International Airport and airlines are making “case-by-case decisions” about which flights to keep in the air, according to the state Department of Transportation.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has closed hiking and camping to the summit of Mauna Loa and in the coastal hinterland due to tropical storm conditions on the island, the National Park Service announced.
NBC News unearthed social media videos from the Big Island that showed trees swaying in the wind amid heavy rain.
More than 24,000 power customers were without power on Hawaii Island Sunday night, according to PowerOutage.US.
