Hawaiian Islands Put Under State of Emergency as Powerful Kona Storm Lurks

Vacationers headed to Hawaii are in for a big surprise. An emergency declaration has been issued for the islands as a Kona storm threatens to unleash heavy rain, flooding, high winds, waterspouts, and mountain snow. Here is the latest on this impending weather situation in paradise.

Kona Storm Washing Out Vacation Plans Across Hawaii

Hawaii is bracing for a major storm event as what is known as a Kona low takes aim at the island chain this week. State officials have preemptively issued an emergency declaration in Hawaii as the peak of the storm inches closer.

In addition to heavy rain capable of triggering flooding, the forecast is also calling for thunderstorms, winds that gust up to 80 mph, and up to 8 inches of snow across the highest mountains. The beginning of the storm is already being felt across portions of the islands. For instance, Oahu experienced rainfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour on Wednesday.