(BIVN) – A slightly weaker Hurricane Lane, about 230 miles south southwest of South Point, continues to move west-northwest near 8 mph. With maximum sustained winds near 150 mph, Lane is still a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Already, rainbands from Hurricane Lane are gradually overspreading the Big Island. At 1:56 p.m. HST, radar showed rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour over the windward slopes from Honoka’a to Volcano, triggering a Flood Advisory. Additional rain bands will continue to move over the east and southeast facing slopes of the island through the afternoon, forecasters say.

A Hurricane Warning remains in effect for Hawaii Island, as Lane is expected to make a gradual turn toward the
northwest today and tonight, followed by a more northward motion on Thursday. A turn back toward the west is
expected on Saturday, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center says. On the forecast track, the center of Lane will move very close to or over the main Hawaiian Islands from Thursday through Saturday.

“Due to the potential effects of Hurricane Lane,” Hawaii County Civil Defense announced at 1:30 p.m., “four emergency shelters have been opened on the north and west side of Hawaii Island. These shelters are for your convenience, but there is NO mandatory evacuation at this time. The shelters are available if you need to relocate.”

The shelters are:

Hookena Elementary School
86-4355 Mamalahoa Highway
Captain Cook, Hawaii 96704

Kamehameha Park Hisaoka Gym
54-382 Kamehameha Park Road
Kapaau, HI 96755
*Pet Friendly

Kealakehe High School
74-5000 Puohulihuli Street
Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
*Pet Friendly

Waikoloa Elementary & Middle School
68-1730 Ho’oko Street
Waikoloa, Hawaii 96738

“If you choose to relocate to a shelter, food is not provided,” civil defense says. “Please bring your blankets and pillows if possible. However, the shelter is open to everyone with or without these items.”

Hawaii public schools and Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) offices statewide will be closed Thursday and Friday. All Charter Schools will be closed Thursday, August 23, and Friday, August 24. Kamehameha Schools will close its campuses, preschools, community education programs and offices statewide Thursday through Sunday.