HONOLULU, July 28 (UPI) -- People in Hawaii Sunday prepared for high winds and heavy rains from Tropical Storm Flossie, which forecasters said would strike Monday morning.
National Weather Service forecasters said Flossie was likely to take about 12 hours as it moves over Hawaii Island and Maui, beginning about 6 a.m. Monday local time, then move on to Oahu from about 6 p.m. Monday through 5 a.m. Tuesday, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported.
Forecasters said the tropical storm could drop 6-10 inches of rain, with some areas getting more.
After producing sustained winds up to 65 miles per hour overnight, Flossie weakened Sunday and was expected to have sustained winds of 35-45 miles per hour with gusts up to 60 mph when it reaches the islands.
Dangerous surf reaching 12-18 feet was expected.
As of 2 p.m., Honolulu time, Flossie was moving in a westerly direction about 375 miles east of Hilo and 560 miles east of Honolulu. Tropical storm force winds were reaching out 160 miles from the center.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu said a tropical storm warning was in place for Oahu, as well as the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. Watches were issued for Kauai and Niihau.
