Tropical Storm Hilda was in no hurry — dawdling just southeast of the islands Wednesday, sluggishly making its way west, nearing Hawaii island.

The Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecast Wednesday night said the weakening Hilda would likely devolve into a tropical depression Thursday and into a remnant low Friday.

A tropical storm watch for the former Category 4 hurricane was no longer in effect as of 5 p.m. Wednesday.

However, a flood watch for Hawaii island is in effect from 6 a.m. Thursday to 6 a.m. Saturday.

At 5 p.m. Wednesday, Tropical Storm Hilda had 45 mph maximum sustained winds, and was traveling west at 3 mph. It was 245 miles southeast of Hilo and 455 miles southeast of Honolulu.

“The northern edge of the system will be affecting the Big Island, and it creates the potential for heavy rain and flash flooding,” said Derek Wroe, Central Pacific Hurricane Center meteorologist.

The other islands “could see an increase in rainfall later Thursday into Friday,” Wroe said Wednesday night. “For right now we’re expecting the main flood risk to be over the Big Island.”

The hurricane center continued to warn of possible heavy rainfall totaling 6 to 12 inches, and as high as 18 inches, which could bring life-threatening flash floods and mudslides.

Swells associated with Hilda were expected to churn up large surf Thursday on east and southeast shores of Hawaii island and Maui, where a high surf advisory was in effect through Thursday afternoon. Swells of up to 12 feet high were expected through Wednesday night, and were expected to decline slowly.

Tropical storm force winds extend out up to 70 miles from the center.

“We get a breather here for a while,” Wroe said. “Nothing in the next week at least. We’re heading into the peak of our hurricane season. It promises to continue to be an active season.”

He added, “Typically this is the peak of the season. That said, it’s an El Nino year, so it promises to stay active past the peak.”