Ana becomes hurricane off coast of Hawaii; expected to miss Big Island
The storm dubbed Ana is spinning off the coast of Hawaii and has officially been designated a hurricane, according to the National Weather Service.
Ana is 230 miles south of Hilo, with sustained winds of nearly 75 miles per hour and stronger gusts, according to the weather service.
Should it continue on its current path, it will miss the Big Island of Hawaii on Friday night, according to the weather service. The storm is expected to weaken over the weekend.
Gov. Neil Abercombie signed an emergency proclamation on Wednesday in anticipation of the storm’s impact, according a news release. The proclamation allows for quicker access to state and federal resources.
“Now is the time for all of us to prepare for Ana,” Abercrombie said in the release. “The best way the state can prepare is through this proclamation, which allows us to respond quickly to any potential impacts.”
American Red Cross shelters are on standby in case the storm changes path, according to the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Follow Ryan Parker for breaking news at @theryanparker and on Facebook.
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