Tropical Storm Watch 2014 Update: Hurricanes Iselle Drops Heavy Rain in Hawaii, Hurricane Julio Expected to Drift North [Maps]
It was a close call, but the first part of the dual hurricane system expected to slam Hawaii has caused only limited damage, while Hurricane Julio is expected to shift north and spare the Aloha state from the brunt of its power.
Earlier this week, Hawaiian officials began preparing for the worst as forecasters predicted that the state would be hit with back-to-back major hurricanes starting on Thursday. However, Hurricane Iselle, which was once classified as a category 4 storm, weakened before it made landfall on the Big Island on Friday, reports the Los Angeles Times.
"We dodged a bullet," Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said, according to CNN.
The strong rains were the "biggest threat" from the storm, CNN reports. The storm caused 4-8 inches in most places, while other areas received over a foot.
In addition, Iselle's 60 mph winds knocked out power and wrecked roads and homes when it came ashore near Pahala, reports AL.com
All storm warnings were canceled by 8 p.m. Friday, while a flash flood watch remained in place for the state through 6 a.m. Saturday local time.
By Saturday, Iselle continued to drop heavy rain across the northern Hawaiian Islands, which the Central Pacific Hurricane Center predicts could bring up to two additional inches of rainfall.
In the meantime, experts say that Hurricane Julio, a category 2 storm with 100 mph winds, will weaken and drift north of Hawaii.
"Julio is expected to pass about 200 miles northeast of the Big Island on Sunday," the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said.
Although the storm will still be a hurricane when it approaches Hawaii, it should weaken because of wind shear and less-than-ideal sea surface temperatures.
Prior to Iselle, Hawaii has not been hit by a hurricane or tropical storm in over 20 years since Hurricane Iniki killed six people and leveled over 1,400 homes in Kauai, back in 1992, reports The Associated Press.
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