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Hawaii braces for Hurricane Douglas; Tropical Depression Hanna brings rain, flooding as it leaves Texas

Bringing maximum sustained winds of 85 mph, Hurricane Douglas swirled about 90 miles northwest of Kahului, Hawaii, and about 60 miles northeast of Honolulu, Oahu, the National Hurricane Center said.

As part of its 5 p.m. HST update, the NHC indicated that Douglas was moving west-northwest at about 16 mph. That track is expected to continue over the next couple of days. 

Referring to the storm as a “dangerous hurricane,” the NHC said its forecast indicates “Douglas will pass near Oahu and Kauai tonight.”

Though a gradual weakening is expected, Douglas figures to maintain hurricane-force winds on its path through the islands, “bringing a triple threat of hazards, including, but not limited to, damaging winds, flooding rainfall and dangerously high surf,” the NHC said.

“It’s definitely going to be a triple threat,” said National Weather Service meteorologist Vanessa Almanza.

The NHC’s advisory added, “Heavy rainfall associated with Douglas is expected to affect portions of the main Hawaiian Islands tonight into Monday. Total rain accumulations of 3 to 6 inches with locally higher amounts are possible, with the greatest rainfall in elevated terrain.”

Hurricane warnings are in effect fo Oahu and Kauai County, while a hurricane warning has been canceled for Maui County. 

Tropical Depression Hanna

Hanna weakened into a tropical depression as it moved from southern Texas to northeastern Mexico on Sunday, leaving rain, flooding and damage.

The National Hurricane Center said in its 10 p.m. CDT advisory that Hanna, which reached Texas shores as a hurricane Saturday, was about 110 miles southwest of Monterrey, Mexico, and had maximum sustained winds of 30  mph.

“Continued weakening should continue as Hanna moves across higher terrain and becomes a remnant low on Monday,” the weather center said.

Rain totals of 6-12 inches in the area – with up to 16 inches in some locations – “will produce life-threatening flash flooding, rapid rises on small streams and isolated minor river flooding in South Texas,” the advisory said.

Live updates: Hanna slams Corpus Christi-area with flooding, damage

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Boat owners survey the damage at Harbor Del Sol Marina as they check their boats the morning after Hurricane Hanna on July 26 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Boat owners survey the damage at Harbor Del Sol Marina as they check their boats the morning after Hurricane Hanna on July 26 in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Liz Sommerville, a senior forecaster for the National Weather Service, said there is a chance of severe thunderstorms all day Sunday and strong winds, heavy rain and low-line, coastal flooding in the region, especially in the northern and southern parts of Port Aransas.

Flooding could reach 2 to 3 feet.

High water fills the streets on Corpus Christi North Beach morning after Hurricane Hanna Sunday, July 26, 2020.
High water fills the streets on Corpus Christi North Beach morning after Hurricane Hanna Sunday, July 26, 2020.

Hanna made landfall at 5 p.m. Saturday at Padre Island as a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 90 mph. By 1 a.m. CDT Sunday, Hanna had weakened into a tropical storm. At 12:49 p.m., the city of Corpus Christi announced in a news release there were no fatalities from Hanna.

Contributing: Meagan Falcon, Corpus Christi Caller Times; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical Storm Hanna pushes into Mexico; Hawaii braces for Hurricane Douglas

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