HONOLULU (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 22nd August, 2018) Hurricane Lane in the Pacific Ocean has been downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 4 storm with maximum sustaining winds of 155 miles per hour (250 kilometers per hour), the National Hurricane Center said in its latest update on Wednesday.
"Lane is a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. Some weakening is forecast during the next 48 hours, but Lane is forecast to remain a dangerous hurricane as it draws closer to the Hawaiian Islands," the National Hurricane Center said.
The hurricane, which represents a threat to the Hawaiian Islands chain in the Pacific Ocean, was upgraded to a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of 160 mph (257 km/h) on Tuesday evening local time.
A hurricane warning has been in effect for Hawaii Island, better known as the Big Island, since Tuesday, and was extend to include Maui County on Wednesday. The island of Oahu remains under a hurricane watch, which was also issued for the island of Kauai.
Earlier on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump said in a statement that everyone in the hurricanes path should prepare themselves and heed the warnings of local authorities.
The National Hurricane Center explained Lane is expected to produce rainfall of more than 20 inches (51 centimeters) in some areas, which could lead to major flash flooding, landslides and mudslides. Tornadoes and large water sprouts are also a possibility, it added.
Hawaii Governor David Ige, who signed an emergency proclamation in anticipation of the Hurricane Lane on Tuesday, is urging residents to prepare and plan.
