Hurricane weakens as it nears Hawaii’s Big Island
HILO, Hawaii — Merchants boarded up shop windows Wednesday along Hilo Bay, and shoppers snatched supplies of food and water from grocery store shelves as what could be the first hurricane to hit Hawaii in a quarter-century neared the island.
Hurricane Madeline had weakened, but it remained on track to hit Hawaii’s Big Island early Thursday, the National Weather Service said.
Officials urged residents to expect hurricane conditions and to take steps to protect themselves and their property.
“Hopefully our roofs stay on, and our houses don’t float way or get blown away,” said Big Island resident Mitzi Bettencourt, who boarded up walls of glass windows at her brother’s oceanfront home. “It’s like, ‘Oh my God, are we going to get flattened or what?’ “