PAHOA » Ana could make landfall as early as Friday on Hawaii island, which was put under a tropical storm watch late Wednesday as residents once again scrambled for supplies to deal with Mother Nature.

Forecast to strengthen to a Category 1 hurricane, Tropical Storm Ana was less than 600 miles away from Hilo as of 8 p.m., prompting the National Weather Service to issue its watch for Hawaii County.

Vicki Deluisi, a cashier at Island Naturals Market and Deli in Pahoa, said many residents are still recovering from Tropical Storm Iselle in August and busy preparing for the encroaching Kilauea Volcano lava flow that could reach town early next month.

And now a possible hurricane, she said.

"It’s like we have a disaster sandwich. The two hurricanes are the bread and the lava in the middle," she joked. "I keep saying as soon as Ana comes through, she and Pele are going to have a catfight."

Deluisi appeared to be in good cheer Tuesday afternoon, but admitted she is nervous about the upcoming storm.

"Last time, the ocean was in my yard," she said.

In anticipation of Ana’s arrival, the weather service issued a flash-flood watch for Hawaii island from noon Friday through Sunday evening. "Tropical Storm Ana is expected to bring heavy rain and thunderstorms to the Big Island then likely sweeping from east to west across the remainder of the island chain this weekend," the advisory said.

Meanwhile, 67-year-old Hawaii island resident Donna Faria was busy buying refills for her gas burners, stocking up on toilet paper, water and her prescriptions at the Pahoa Longs Drug Store.

She said nothing has been the same since Tropical Storm Iselle left her without power for eight days. With lava now heading in her direction she is looking into moving into a rental unit in case the flow takes out her home.

"I’m overwhelmed. It’s been an emotional time and I’m really distraught," she said.

But Jimmy Hutaff, owner of Sustained Propane in Pahoa, said he hasn’t seen panic with the threat of a second tropical storm.

"People are getting prepared this time. Even if it’s not going to hit, at least people are prepared," he said. "And everyone seems a lot calmer and more positive."

High surf and storm surges are expected, as well as heavy rains and thundershowers, in addition to strong wind.

Hawaii County Civil Defense Director Darryl Oliveira said during a conference call with the media Wednesday afternoon that county officials are going door to door to shoreline communities.

Residents in the Punaluu, Kau, Kalapana, Kapoho and Pohoiki are advised to move to higher ground.

The latest report says surf heights of 25 feet to 40 feet are in the forecast for southeast-facing shores of Hawaii island.

Oliveira said the storm is expected to hit both the east and west sides of the island.

The county is also working with the American Red Cross to open shelters to the public as early as Friday, and officials say there will be enough space to accommodate residents in need.

Meanwhile, work is continuing on Chain of Craters Road, the third emergency access route being built in preparation for when lava crosses the area’s main highway.

Oliveira said that work could be suspended if safety becomes a concern when Ana makes landfall.

As for the lava, officials reported lava advanced 25 yards from the day before and remained more than a half-mile from Apaa Street near the Pahoa Transfer Station.

Tim Orr, a USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory Geologist, said the lava flow had weakened a bit, although some widening was reported at the front of the flow.

A lava flow community update meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday with representatives from Hawaii County Civil Defense and the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory at the Pahoa High School Cafeteria.