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HURRICANE LANE HAS drenched Hawaii ahead of its arrival in the island state, prompting US President Donald Trump to declare a state of emergency as landslides and flash flooding left roads blocked.
The National Weather Service said Lane – located about 320 kilometres south of Hawaii – remained a powerful hurricane, packing winds in excess of 209 kilometres per hour, although it was downgraded to category three mid-afternoon local time.
The eye was expected to sweep very close to or over the islands, 3,218 kilometres southwest of the mainland US, sometime later last night.
Up to 12 inches of rain had already fallen before dawn, according to federal authorities, with 30 inches expected in the worst-hit areas over the coming four to five days.
“Someone once told me it wasn’t raining when Noah built the Ark,” American Red Cross vice-president Brad Kieserman told a news conference in Washington.
“That means that readiness is important – readiness to make sure we can fulfil our responsibility and the critical infrastructure lifelines.”
Emergency teams have set up 16 evacuation centres, with a further 19 due to open throughout the day, authorities said, as Trump urged Hawaiians to hunker down and prepare for the worst.
“Our teams are closely coordinating with the state and local authorities. You are in our thoughts!” Trump tweeted.
‘Panic mode’
Brock Long, chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said: “We are extremely concerned about the potentials for inland flooding, landslides occurring and damage to the transportation, communications infrastructure.”
Residents across the state were stocking up on water, food, gasoline and emergency supplies as Lane drew nearer.
“Last couple of days it’s been like this – it’s been busy,” said Chris, an employee at a gas station in Haleiwa, on the north shore of Oahu island – the location of the capital Honolulu.
“We have been just constantly getting cars filling up. Everybody is in a panic mode right now – everyone is filling up gas, gas cans, propane cans and all that.”
Landslides and flooding caused by the first rainstorm partially blocked several roads on Big Island, according to local media.
Sea levels were expected to rise as much as two to four feet above normal tide levels, causing coastal erosion and prompting a storm surge and “large and destructive waves”.
Surfers were observed taking advantage of the calm before the storm to get out on their boards one last time on Wednesday before the ocean got too violent.
Flights cancelled
United Airlines announced it had cancelled all of its flights today to and from Kahului International Airport on Maui, the second-largest island.
Honolulu authorities said they were planning to activate a three-minute island-wide outdoor siren warning system at 4pm (2am Irish time) to alert the public to the possibility of severe flooding.
Free transport will be available between the capital and Oahu island’s evacuation shelters, which had welcomed around 350 people by noon, according to the Maui 24/7 local news portal.
The US Coast Guard said 57,000 US military personnel already stationed in Hawaii stood ready to launch search and rescue missions and provide logistics and medical support.
“Hurricane Lane is not a well-behaved hurricane,” Governor David Ige said in a statement as he declared a state of emergency on Tuesday on Big Island.
“I’ve not seen such dramatic changes in the forecast track as I’ve seen with this storm.”
Hurricanes rarely make landfall in Hawaii and the last major storm to strike the state was nearly three decades ago, when Hurricane Iniki barreled into the island of Kauai, leaving six people dead and causing billions of dollars in damage.
Federal officials have been working with Hawaiian utility managers to keep a close eye on the power grid, a major vulnerability in Puerto Rico last year when it was hit by Hurricane Maria, a Category 4 storm.
Hurricane-related deaths in Puerto Rico have been estimated at as many as 4,600 people, largely because prolonged and widespread power outages and washed out roads prevented access to health care, according to US researchers.
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Tough shit, Get over it. Should the cops, coffee sellers and caterers, medics, street cleaners, employees of hundreds of other companies that will be both attending and working at the event itself also be able to choose not to turn up? What drivel.
@Mr Snuffleupagus: and clickbait
All workers are entitled to withdraw their labour as they see fit.
@Benjy Dempsey: The big stars don’t want to touch Trump with a 50 foot pole. It’s telling that performers have to be forced under contract to be in The Donald’s presence.
@Benjy Dempsey: So you think you can tell your boss you’re not going to work for any reason you like then, Benjy? Right so. Saying so, doesn’t make it so. If you don’t do your job, you get sacked. At least, out there in real world.
Yes I am pretty sure you can’t refuse to provide some one service just because you have a prejudice against them.
@benjy are employers entitled to withdraw wor as they see fit?
Benji, Wally, bill… Whatever…. You now saying that ni bakery was right to refuse to bake?
@Mr Snuffleupagus: Another butt-hurt Trump FanBoy.
@Benjy Dempsey:
Of course they can, but if they breach their contract…bye bye or a fine!
Mr Snuffle, ,You might recall the Luas workers withdrew their labour a while back and not only did they not get sacked they won an 18% pay rise.
Thats showbiz baby!
perfectly fitting for a trump event to have women being forced to do things they don’t want to do.
@stopit:
It’s their job, if they don’t like it leave. Funny how “principles” seem to disappear when there is a threat of the money disappearing! Plenty more waiting to join! Imagine if employees decided whom their company could do business with! Sack em and move on!
That’s why we have unions. To keep greedy hogs in their place.
Considering they have performed at Radio City Music Hall in New York since the 1930s, they’re in pretty good shape.
@alphanautica: Great gams, them girls!
They could do a routine from Hamilton. Or dress as cats and when President Elect Tiny Hands goes for a handshake, there’s a ready made “Pussy Grabbing” headline available for publication. I’m sure the Rockettes have had to deal with many letches in their time, but being forced to do it on an official level is creepy.
Trump will be thinking quietly to himself soooo many pussies and I only have two hands
@Tweed Cap: Somehow I can see Alec Baldwin dancing with a Rockettes type lineup on SNL in the coming weeks!
@Daisy Chai NSaw: Have you never heard of what Bill Clinton or JFK got up to in The White House?
@Eamon Mac Gowan: Yes. Does whataboutery make Trump less of a pussy grabber?
@Daisy Chai NSaw:
Says the QUEEN of whataboutery!!!
@Warthog: Your mammy’s calling you for your tea. Run along.
That’s millenials for you. They think their rights are being trampled on if their employer tells them to do something.
It’s a job, get over it. I don’t like Enda much but hey, he was going to be at my child’s school for something, and on that day I still sent him to school.
@The Girl: Umm, terrible comparison that makes no sense whatsoever.
If they don’t want to do it, sack em.
There’s plenty of hot sexy dancers all over America who would love to get that gig.
@Eamon Mac Gowan: as if you’d know, LOL!
Shows the increasingly unpatriotic tendenies of the Left not just in the US but in the West generally.
Incorrect use of the patriotic, Rosa Parks (if that is your real name).
@Rosa Parks: Patriotism is a disease of the mind.
They should honour the president erect
Another pure bs lazy journalism propaganda piece. Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.
@John Fergus:
Par for the course at this stage.
Actually this has nothing to do with Donald Trump.
The dancers are in dispute with the owners of the outfit.
have your say