Associated Press
HONOLULU — Hawaii braced today for Tropical Storm Felicia, taking no chances even though the storm weakened rapidly as it slipped toward the islands.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center said this morning that the storm had been downgraded to a tropical storm with maximum sustained winds of 55 mph with higher gusts. It’s expected to weaken even more before hitting Hawaii late Monday.
The Hurricane Center said the storm had a center about 555 miles east of Hilo and 735 miles east of Honolulu at 8 a.m. local time.
Parts of Hawaii were under a tropical storm watch. Several beach parks on Hawaii’s Big Island were being closed this afternoon because the storm was expected to increase wave heights. A building swell generated by the storm was expected to hit eastern shores of the eastern Hawaiian islands later today, according to the hurricane center. Large surf is expected to spread to eastern shores of all islands tonight and Monday.
Felicia peaked Thursday as a Category 4 storm with winds topping 140 mph.
Residents stocked up on emergency items Saturday, crowding stores to buy water, batteries and other supplies. Propane was selling so quickly at The City Mill store in Oahu that the store’s tank was being filled daily, according to KITV.
“Things are just flying out,” said Vicki Lebowitz, manager of the store.
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