Ige signs emergency proclamation as Hurricane Ignacio approaches

Gov. David Ige signed an emergency proclamation in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Ignacio, which forecasters say could start threatening the islands early next week.

The proclamation activates the major disaster fund set aside by the state Legislature for disaster relief, allows easier access to emergency resources at the state and federal levels, and allows the suspension of certain laws for emergency purposes, according to Ige’s office.

The National Weather Service forecasts that Hurricane Ignacio could move over, or just north of, the islands as a Category 1 storm starting Monday. The system has the ability to cause widespread damage across the state, officials say.

“With our whole state engulfed in the cone of uncertainty, we ask the public to continue their preparedness efforts and monitor news media for the latest updates regarding Hurricane Ignacio,” said Vern Miyagi, executive officer of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency. 

At 11 a.m. Friday, Ignacio was 785 miles east-southeast of Hilo and about 995 miles east-southeast of Honolulu with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph. It was moving northwest at 8 mph and is expected to become a Category 2 hurricane with 110 mph winds Saturday, before wind shear and cooler waters begin to weaken it.