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Hawaii on storm alert

August 9, 2014

Residents of Hawaii are bracing for another tropical storm after power was knocked out to thousands of homes on Big Island on Friday. Hurricanes have hit the US' Pacific island group only three times since 1950.

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Hurricane Iselle Hawaii
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

The US National Weather Service urged Hawaiian residents to "keep on guard" in case Hurricane Julio changed direction. On Saturday, it was cruising about 1,200 kilometers (750 miles) east of the state's biggest island.

Julio was packing winds of 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour. Meteorologists said if it stayed on its route unchanged, it would weaken and lie about 300 kilometers north of the island chain on Sunday, local time.

On Friday, tropical storm Iselle - the first to hit the state in 22 years - downed trees, caused flooding and knocked out power to 21,000 homes, mainly on Big Island. Airlines canceled about 50 flights. Stores and schools were closed. No major injuries were reported.

Rain at least

After Iselle swept by, a tropical storm warning was kept in place for the island of Kauai, but canceled for Big Island, Oahu and Maui. Meteologists warned, however, that Julio could still bring a considerable amount of rain.

"Right now our guidance is indicating it's going to go north (of the state), but that can change and folks need to keep on guard," said weather service spokesman Mike Cantin.

Risky surfing

Lifeguards said a few surfers were braving waves at a Honolulu spot nicknamed "Suicides." Lifeguards on Oahu planned to respond only to emergency calls.

Meteorologist Anthony Reynes said waves on Hawaii's north- and east-facing shores could be between 3 and 4 meters (10 and 15 feet) high.

Storm damage prompted electoral officials to postpone voting for about 8,000 voters in Saturday's primary races to choose Democrat congressional and gubernatorial candidates for elections in November. Voting elsewhere in Hawaii would proceed, they said.

Chief election officer Scott Nago said the two precincts affected would vote later.

Japan bracing for typhoon

Southwest Japan was also bracing for a typhoon on Saturday, with more than 100,000 residents being advised to evacuate their homes.

Typhoon Halong has already brought disruption to outer areas, forcing the cancelations of hundreds of flights and stranding many summer vacation passengers.

The typhoon was projected to make landfall on the southwest island of Shikoku late Saturday. It was lashed by downpours last weekend.

Officials have warned that Halong could trigger landslides and flooding.

Ipj/tj (Reuters, AP)