‘Life-Threatening Surf’: Hawaii Braces for Hurricane Kiko (Video)

“We’re very excited that Kiko has decided to take a northerly turn,” said Dr. Randall Collins, Administrator in the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management. “It continues to trend that way. Any chance that it deviates to the south, we’ll be looking at that very closely.”

The chances of storm-force winds are slim; big waves, on the other hand, are more likely.

According to NOAA: “Swells generated by Kiko are expected to gradually build and are forecast to peak along east-facing exposures of the Hawaiian Islands late today [Monday] through the middle of the week, potentially producing life-threatening surf and rip currents. Listen to the latest updates and potential High Surf Warnings issued from the national Weather Service in Honolulu, Hawaii.”

Since Hawaii is out of the “cone of uncertainty” – as they call it – officials are more so preparing for waves, rather than storm conditions.

Dr. Collins continued:

“We might see a little bit more wind, and that’s what will create the high surf. We might get some remnant rain, or something like that. But I don’t think it’ll be anything significant that we have to worry about, in terms of precipitation. I’m really focused on that high surf issue right now.”

Stay safe, and stay tuned for more updates as Kiko passes by Hawaii.