President Donald Trump issued an emergency disaster declaration for Hawaii on Friday as Hurricane Lane descended upon the island.
I have authorized an emergency disaster declaration to provide Hawaii the necessary support ahead of #HurricaneLane. Our teams are closely coordinating with the state and local authorities. You are in our thoughts! https://t.co/lrhwbdUavj
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 23, 2018
The Category 5 storm weakened to a Category 3 as it approached land Thursday, with officials warning residents of heavy downpours and strong winds, CNN reported.
This is a historic storm.#HurricaneLane is the strongest hurricane to ever threaten Hawaii, and the first Category 5 on record to come this close to the islands.
At 922mb, it is just 7mb away from becoming the most intense hurricane ever in the Central Pacific. pic.twitter.com/zDiC3nDitz
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) August 22, 2018
A rare and sobering sight tonight in the Central Pacific, as Hurricane #Lane becomes only the 6th recorded Category 5 hurricane in this part of the Pacific, and the nearest to #Hawaii a Cat 5 hurricane has ever been observed. #hiwx pic.twitter.com/d8zLbVKjad
— Michael Lowry (@MichaelRLowry) August 22, 2018
As of mid-morning Friday, the storm has been reduced to a Category 2 threat. Big Island has already received more than 31 inches of rain, with rainfall rates in the outer bands of the storm approaching 1 to 3 inches per hour, according to ABC News.
BREAKING: Officials say Hurricane Lane has been downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane as it approaches Hawaii.
— The Associated Press (@AP) August 24, 2018
Work continues on Saddle Road above Hilo between MM 10.5 and 11. Water is currently 2-3’ deep. #HawaiiIsland #Lane #hiwx pic.twitter.com/i9LrFCrKDJ
— Hawaii DOT (@DOTHawaii) August 24, 2018
Hurricane Lane unleashes flooding and landslides as it gets closer to Hawaii https://t.co/rxNIBV13u9 pic.twitter.com/8SrQmBcPzL
— FOX 5 San Diego (@fox5sandiego) August 24, 2018
Amazing footage of #HurricaneLane from https://t.co/LVbPNkTnOG on #Hawaii Island. #Lane is packing a punch with over 12" of rain already on the ground with much more to come#HawaiiScience #Waikiki @MauiOceanCenter @bishopmuseum @JustinCruzNEWS @AnchorageMuseum @ECOEXPLORATORIO pic.twitter.com/t4FKdIrTBG
— HawaiiScienceMuseum (@HawaiiScience) August 23, 2018
On Thursday, Hawaii Gov. David Ige urged residents to stock up on enough food, water and other basic essentials to last them two weeks, the New York Times reported.
The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency is closely monitoring Hurricane Lane.
FEMA Administrator Brock Long told Fox News that the agency has had a team on Hawaii’s Big Island for months, ever since the Kilauea volcano began erupting back in May.
As we respond to Hurricane #Lane approaching #Hawaii, here’s a video explaining how we and our partners focus on the most critical areas in a community. pic.twitter.com/0XQz5T0DwH
— FEMA (@fema) August 22, 2018
Shelters have opened all over the state for those needing to evacuate flood zone areas, and FEMA is equipped with food, water and additional supplies to aid displaced residents.
Prayers and relief efforts poured in this week as Hawaii prepared for its worst storm in decades.
#HurricaneLane in the early morning hours near #Hawaii. The crew of the @Space_Station sends much aloha to everyone there. pic.twitter.com/raPh37MZH9
— Ricky Arnold (@astro_ricky) August 22, 2018
Pray for those in #Hawaii in the path of #HurricaneLane. https://t.co/ownXIvOu2k
— Franklin Graham (@Franklin_Graham) August 23, 2018
Please #pray for safety as #Hawaii prepares for #HurricaneLane.
"It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." – Deuteronomy 31:8— Samaritan's Purse (@SamaritansPurse) August 23, 2018
We’re already preparing for Hurricane Lane to make landfall in Hawaii. I encourage you to pray for our fellow Americans in Hawaii as this hurricane approaches. pic.twitter.com/po9LWjvNKP
— Vice President Mike Pence Archived (@VP45) August 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/Tuaamann_/status/1032099399437041664
Eagles LB Kamu Grugier-Hill sporting “Pray 4 Hawaii” 🌺 Shirt pregame
Mother Nature has hit Hawaii hard with Hurricane and Volcano eruption in May @6abc @k_grugierhill #Eagles #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/cWYeI7tEIT
— Jeff Skversky (@JeffSkversky) August 23, 2018
Please pray for Hawaii as the state works to mitigate the blow of this powerful storm. If you are local and looking to aid relief efforts, read how you can volunteer here.