Hurricane Flossie Could Unleash 20-Foot Surf

The leading edge of Hurricane Flossie is expected to hit the big island of Hawaii, near the city of Hilo by mid-morning, local time, according to the latest forecast from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, which was released about 5 a.m. EDT.

A tropical storm warning, and a hurricane watch, remains in effect for the big island of Hawaii. The eye of the hurricane remained 260 miles south-southeast of the island, but the storm is moving in that direction at about 15 mph and hurricane-force winds extend 40-miles from its eye, and tropical storm-force winds extend up to 155 miles from the center. NOAA

The storm's winds have been measured at a sustained force of 115 mph, with stronger gusts. Winds of about 39 mph will hit Hawaii mid-morning, local time, and sustained wind speed will rise toward 50 mph, with stronger gusts, as the storm moves past. Forecasters predicted the storm to weaken before passing Hawaii -- it expected to skirt the island to the south -- but past forecasts also called for a weakening of the storm, and the storm instead strengthened.

Assuming it doesn't track north toward the island, resulting in greater winds, rain and storm surge, the hurricane is still expected to produce a rise in the surf of up to six to 10 feet initially, and up to 20 feet as the storm passes. Parts of the island could be hit with 10 inches or more of rain.

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