At 5 p.m. today, Tropical Storm Felicia was about 210 miles east-northeast of Hilo and about 375 miles east of Honolulu. Winds are at 40 mph and a tropical storm watch remains in effect for Oahu and Maui County. The storm watch was canceled for the Big Island earlier today.

Felicia is moving west at around 10 mph and is expected to continue so for the next couple of days. On this track, the center of Felicia is expected to reach the Hawaiian Islands on Tuesday with rainbands beginning to affect the Islands overnight.

Tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center.

A large swell generated by Felicia is already affecting the main Hawaiian Islands and will continue to build across the state tonight and tomorrow. Regardless of the intensity of Felicia when it reaches the state, locally heavy rainfall may occur and flash flooding remains a possibility, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said.

“There’s abundant moisture that this thing is dragging along with it,” said Tom Birchard, lead forecaster at the National Weather Service. “It still brings the threat of heavy rains.”
That was the same message delivered by state Civil Defense this morning at a news conference from the agency's Diamond Head Crater headquarters.
“What we need to be vigilant of right now is wind, rain and of course making sure we have the proper provisions at home,” Lt. Gov. James “Duke” Aiona said.
He added, “I’m confident most of our residents are prepared.”
Aiona said a host of precautionary measures have been taken to prevent flooding, including clearing out streams and culverts.
He also said that decisions on whether to close schools and keep state workers home will be made when the storm gets closer.
Ed Teixeira, state Civil Defense administrator, said that although the storm is weakening, officials are still preparing for the worst.
“We’ve still got to be on our toes,” he said.
So far, the storm hasn’t spurred any spike in cancellations from visitors, said Marsha Wienert, the state’s tourism liaison.
She also said that hotels are ready for whatever the storm brings.
“They’re taking all the neccesary precautions to ensure the safety and security of their guests,” she said.
For now, Felicia remains a tropical storm as it continues to close on the Islands, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.
On the Big Island, Hawaii County Civil Defense administrator Quince Mento said wind worried him as much as rain or storm-driven surf.
Mento said winds of 30 mph to 40 mph, while not powerful enough to blow roofs off homes, could still bring down tree branches.
"If that happens, you're looking at roads being blocked and maybe power lines knocked down, so that's still a big concern," Mento said.
A large swell generated by the storm has already reached the Islands and wave heights will continue to build across the state today and tonight.
Yesterday Big Island officials closed beach parks between Whittington Beach Park in Kau and Laupahoehoe Beach Park in Hamakua through Wednesday morning. Hookena Beach Park in South Kona is included in the closure. Resident in coastal areas should be on alert. Forecasters predict surf could be 18 feet or greater.
The Big Island Civil Defense is urging residents to be prepared for road closures and power outages.
Maui County officials similarly closed several rural, east-facing parks, including Honomanu, Keanae and Kipahulu Point Light Station. Today county campgrounds and county sponsored recreations programs will be canceled.
The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park has closed the back country hiking trails and the Haleakala National Park will close it's back country travel starting today.
Following a video teleconference involving all the counties yesterday, officials on Kauai are predicting that wind and rain will affect Kauai residents mostly likely tomorrow.
In preparation, Kauai officials have topped off the tanks of all public works vehicles and are working to make sure ditches and culverts are free of obstruction in anticipation of possible flooding. Park and recreation officials will advise campers of projected weather conditions.
Shelters have been identified and members of the Kauai Visitors Bureau have been in contact with the visitor industry in case special assistance is needed.
For a complete list of warnings issued by the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, go to:
www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/watchwarn.php