Tropical Storm Iselle hits Hawaii

The US Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) said that Iselle had already lost steam before it lashed Hawaii with strong winds and rain on Friday. The storm was still ferocious enough to cause devastation on the island. No deaths or injuries were reported.

Rainfall of up to 30 centimeters (12 inches) is expected, with CPHC warning of "life-threatening flash floods as well as rock and mud slides."

So far the extent of damage across the Big Island is unclear. John Drummond of the Hawaii County Civil Defense told the news agency Associated Press the storm had downed many trees and had damaged roofs. At one point there were 33,000 homes without power, he added.

Authorities had advised people to stay indoors and had closed down all non-emergency public facilities, including the beaches. Government employees had been sent home from work early.

Iselle is the first tropical storm to hit the archipelago in 22 years. It is followed by Hurricane Julio, a Category 3 storm, which is about 1,600 kilometers behind in the Pacific. The National Hurricane Center said on Thursday that Julio was moving west-northwest at 26 kph (16 mph) and was expected to weaken through Saturday.

Weather officials have warned of four to seven tropical storms this year in the wide swath of the Pacific Ocean, which includes Hawaii.

shs/kms (AP, Reuters, AFP)