Big Storms on Hawaii’s Horizon? That’s the Forecast

Because of El Niño conditions, 2015 is expected to be worse than 2014, when the islands were battered by Tropical Storm Iselle.

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Got bottled water? Batteries and flashlights? Canned goods and toilet paper?

It’s probably a pretty good idea to stock up on supplies, if forecasters from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s Central Pacific Hurricane Center are correct.

Thanks to El Niño conditions — warmer ocean waters that can make for stronger storm conditions — they foresee between 5-to-8 storms in the Central Pacific, up from 4-to-7 last year.

iselle and julio

Iselle and Julio heading toward Hawaii in 2014.

National Weather Service

“The outlook calls for a 70 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 25 percent chance of a near-normal season, and a 5 percent chance of a below-normal season,” says KITV.

Last August, you’ll recall, Hawaii was hit by Tropical Storm Iselle, which caused big damage in the Puna area of the Big Island.

Hurricane Season in Hawaii officially begins June 1 and runs through November.

Time to visit Costco and Longs, no? Tamura’s too.

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