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Keeping up with the Australian government; Hawaii prepares for Hurricane Lane.
Zany Lane heads for Hawaii
- The effects of Hurricane Lane, a Category 4 storm, officially hit Hawaii’s Big Island early Thursday morning. Lane, which was just 200 miles south of Kailua-Kona on the Big Island, brought down more than 19.5 inches of rain as of 5 pm ET. Forecasters predict that this figure will reach up to 30 inches by the end of the storm. [CNN / Meg Wagner, Brian Ries, and Veronica Rocha]
- Hurricane experts say the storm poses “a rare and historic threat.” Waves could reach more than 20 feet in height, while the torrential downpour could cause “life-threatening” landslides and flash-flooding. [Axios / Andrew Freedman]
- President Donald Trump declared a state of emergency in Hawaii. This will allow the Federal Emergency Management Agency to prepare relief plans. [USA Today / Elizabeth Weise]
- The government has set up shelters across every island, but they can only withstand up to 40 mph winds. [CBS / AP]
- All 15 airports will remain open until further notice. [Hawaii Department of Transportation]
- Hurricanes that impact Hawaii are incredibly rare. If Lane’s center does hit any of the islands, it will be the first hurricane to do so since the 1950s, when scientists began tracking weather patterns in the region. [Scientific American / Andrea Thompson]
- It’s impossible to say whether the storm was a direct result of climate change — but the infrequency of hurricanes that impact the Hawaiian island and the sheer amount of rain could be a hint of proof. [Vox / Brian Resnick]
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