Flossie downgraded to Tropical Depression - HONOLULU (AP) The National Weather Service has downgraded a tropical storm moving through Hawaii to a tropical depression, reflecting weaker winds and rainfall as the system makes its way across the Big Island and Maui. The National Weather Service canceled all storm and flood warnings for Tropical Storm Flossie in Hawai`i on Monday evening, keeping only a flash flood watch in effect until this evening. Weather officials say Flossie may still cause power outages and road closures, with wind gusts up to 40 mph through mountain passes. Forecasters expect up to 6 inches of rain on parts of the Big Island and up to 2 inches of rain elsewhere. They say that could cause life-threatening mudslides and flash floods. Flossies impact on the Big Island Monday was far less than expected and limited primarily to high surf and heavy winds in certain areas of East Hawai`i. Hawai`i Electric Light Company responded to various outages affecting approximately 5,000 customers. The incidents included downed trees that forced the closure of Highway 132 in the vicinity of Lava Tree State Park. Notwithstanding, things are getting back to normal as the County Mass Transit System has resumed bus operations which had been suspended.
Posted on: Fri, 16 Aug 2013 23:49:32 +0000