HONOLULU, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- Tropical Storm Iselle touched down in Hawaii Friday morning, reaching the eastern shore of the Big Island and becoming the first tropical storm to hit the state in over two decades.
One thousand miles behind Iselle, Hurricane Julio, a Category 3 storm, is closing in on Hawaii, set to hit by the weekend.
Although no major damage has yet been reported, 21,000 homes are out of power. Hawaiians throughout the state are seeking safety in emergency shelters. The national guard is on alert, and all flights in and out of Hawaii are cancelled.
"This is a giant event," Gov. Neil Abercrombie warned Thursday night.
"Do not drive. Hunker down. This is it. We need everyone's cooperation."
Winds of up to 70 m.p.h. are expected for the Big Island, especially close to the mountains and volcanoes.
Center of #Iselle appears to be making landfall now E of Pahala, HI. pic.twitter.com/u0PtXkuhKI
— Hurricane Central (@twc_hurricane) August 8, 2014Live update on @KITV4 with @NanaOhkawa #Iselle pic.twitter.com/p59cE8DOcN
Advertisement— Mayor Kirk Caldwell (@MayorKirkHNL) August 8, 2014Tropical Storm Iselle hits Hawaii's Big Island, packing 60-mph winds (AP/NOAA photo): http://t.co/O3r1SjX9Ep pic.twitter.com/DZKpXeyXqV
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) August 8, 2014Read More
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