Flossie Downgrades to Category 3

Demonstrating that we still have a long way to go in predicting and modeling hurricanes, Flossie continues to confound storm watchers and scientists as it nears the Hawaiian Islands. Now approximately 425 miles southeast of Hilo, Flossie (Honestly, who names these hurricanes? Shouldn't hurricanes have formidable names like Ester, Marge, or Stella? Not stripper names like Flossie. What's next? Hurricane Chablis?) has dropped from a Category 4 hurricane to a Category 3 with maximum sustained winds of about 125 mph.

Big Island Mayor Harry Kim has declared a state of emergency on the Big Island, which is expected to bear the brunt of Flossie's effects. All Big Island schools have cancelled classes for tomorrow and local Walgreens are staying open 24 hours to handle the last minute rush on storm supplies (candles, water, batteries, etc.)

I'm scheduled to fly into Honolulu early Friday morning on my way to American Samoa, so I'll be keeping my eye on Flossie all week. Even if it skirts the islands, I suspect storm surge to be high along the coast and wind gusts to wreak some havoc along the south shore.

You can learn more about how Hawaii is preparing from the The Honolulu Advertiser. And keep an eye on The Intersection where Chris Mooney has been posting periodic updates from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.