Hurricane Lane, a Category 5 Storm, Barrels Toward Hawaii, Bringing Lashing Winds and Rain

National Weather Service Honolulu
National Weather Service Honolulu

A state of emergency has been declared.

A Category 5 hurricane is headed for Hawaii with wind speeds up to 160 mph.

Hawaii County has been put under a hurricane warning and Maui County is under a hurricane watch after the storm’s winds increased Tuesday night. Officials expect the island chain to experience hurricane conditions within the next 36 hours.

"Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion," the National Weather Service said.

The storm is expected to weaken as it approaches the state, but it’s reportedly one of two Category 5 hurricanes to ever come within 350 miles of the state, according to the National Weather Service.

"On the forecast track, the center of Lane will move very close to or over the main Hawaiian Islands from Thursday through Saturday," the weather service said.

Residents have reportedly been rushing to stock up on necessities to before the storm hits. 

Flash flooding and landslides are also expected in the state along with 10 to 15 inches of rain. 

Gov. David Ige has declared a state of emergency. 

"Hurricane Lane is not a well-behaved hurricane," Ige said in a statement Tuesday. "I've not seen such dramatic changes in the forecast track as I've seen with this storm. I urge our residents and visitors to take this threat seriously and prepare for a significant impact."

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