UPDATE:

Hone has been downgraded to a tropical storm and forecasters expect it to continue weakening as it moves away from the Hawaiian islands.

As of 11 p.m. Sunday, Hone was centered 180 miles southwest of Honolulu and 185 miles southeast of Lihue, with maximum sustained winds of 70 mph and moving west at 14 mph.

Tropical storm-force winds extend up to 90 miles from Hone’s center.

The storm, which lashed the Big Island with heavy rains and strong winds, is expected to continue moving away from the main Hawaiian islands, and pass well north of Johnston Island Tuesday night into Wednesday.

“Trailing rain bands from Hone which have been producing flash flooding on the Big Island on Sunday will continue to diminish overnight,” Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecasters said.

9 p.m.

The flash flood warning for Hawaii island has been extended to 12:30 a.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

“At 8:39 p.m., radar showed bands of moderate to heavy rain moving into the windward slopes and southeast flank of the Big Island,” forecasters said. “Rain rates are falling around 1 inch per hour, with the potential for heavier showers developing in the 1 to 2 inches per hour range later tonight. Periods of heavy showers over the windward and southeastern slopes on already saturated the ground may quickly lead to additional flash flooding. Water levels in area rivers and streams will likely continue to run high through the night. Some areas along the affected windward and southeastern slopes remain flooded at this time.”

The flood warning areas include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kapaau, Honokaa, Pohakuloa Training Area, Pohakuloa Camp, Volcano, Glenwood, Mountain View, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Wood Valley, Pahala, Hawaiian Acres, Papaikou, Keaau, Honomu, Pepeekeo, Orchidlands Estates and Laupahoehoe.

7:10 p.m.

Ka’u High & Pahala Elementary and Na‘alehu Elementary schools will be closed to students and staff on Monday due to hazardous road conditions, Hawaii Department of Education officials said.

Highway 11 has been shut down by emergency crews, making both campuses inaccessible, officials said.

All other Hawaii public schools are scheduled to open as usual Monday, they said.

6 p.m.

Hurricane Hone is moving away from the Hawaiian islands, but the Big Island remains under a flash flood warning.

Hone has brought high winds and heavy rainfall to Hawaii island. A flash flood warning is in effect for Hawaii County until 9:15 p.m.

At 5:33 p.m., the radar showed heavy rainfall moving into the windward slopes and southeast flank of Hawaii island. Rainfall rates have increased with rates of up to 3 inches per hour with the heaviest rain falling over the slopes of South Hilo and Puna Districts.

In the Kau district, Highway 11 remains closed at Kawa Flats along with Wood Valley Road and Cane Haul Road near Pahala. Rainfall rates have declined in these areas and Emergency Management Agency reported that water is receding but roads will remain closed. Heavy rainfall is expected to resume through the evening hours, but rainfall should gradually decline tonight.

Some locations that will experience flash flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kapaau, Honokaa, Pohakuloa Training

Area, Pohakuloa Camp, Volcano, Glenwood, Mountain View, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Wood Valley, Pahala, Hawaiian Acres, Papaikou, Keaau, Honomu, Pepeekeo, Orchidlands Estates and Laupahoehoe.

At 5 p.m., Hone remained a hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 75 mph winds, and was centered 175 miles west of Kailua-Kona and 160 miles south-southwest of Honolulu.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 10 miles from Hone’s center and tropical storm-force winds of 39 mph or more extend up to 90 miles, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

“Weakening is forecast during the next couple of days, and Hone is expected to become a tropical storm by early Monday,” CPHC forecasters said.

In the East Pacific, Hurricane Gilma was maintaining its strength as it nears the Central Pacific, but was expected to dissipate before it nears the Hawaiian islands.

At 5 p.m., Gilma was centered about 1,310 miles east of Hilo, packing maximum sustained winds of 105 mph with higher gusts while moving west near 9 mph. A westward to west-northwestward motion at a similar forward speed is forecasted over the next several days.

“Although gradual weakening is forecast during the next couple of days, Gilma is forecast to remain a hurricane as it approaches the Central Pacific Basin,” according to forecasters.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center, while tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center.

The latest five-day forecast has Gilma weakening to a post-tropical remnant low by Friday as it moves far to the northeast of Hawaii island.

Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Hector has formed heading westward about 980 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California. Hector is far from the islands.

Hector was packing maximum sustained winds of 45 mph with higher gusts while moving west at 12 mph. Hector is expected to slowly strengthen over the next day or two. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles from the center.

Hector is expected to weaken to a post-tropical remnant low soon by Friday after it enters the Central Pacific, far from Hawaii.

3:20 p.m.

The flash flood warning has been extended for Hawaii County until 6:15 p.m.

At 2:55 p.m. today, the radar indicated bands of moderate to locally heavy rain moving into Hawaii island’s southeastern flank. Bands of heavy rainfall are expected to continue through the afternoon as Hurricane Hone moves westward and away from Hawaii island.

Some locations expected to experience flash flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kapaau, Honokaa, Pohakuloa Training Area, Pohakuloa Camp, Volcano, Glenwood, Mountain View, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Wood Valley, Pahala, Hawaiian Acres, Papaikou, Keaau, Honomu, Pepeekeo, Orchidlands Estates and Laupahoehoe.

“Stay away from streams, rivers, drainage ditches, and culverts, even if they are currently dry,” forecasters said in a statement. “Do not cross fast-flowing or rising water in your vehicle, or on foot. Turn around, don’t drown.”

The wind advisory remains in effect for portions of Oahu, Hawaii island, Kauai, Kahoolawe and Niihau until 6 a.m. Monday.

A high surf advisory has been issued for the east-facing shores of Oahu, Maui, Molokai and Kauai until 6 a.m. Monday.

Surf of 7 to 10 feet is forecasted for the eastern shores with strong breaking waves and currents that will make swimming dangerous.

2 p.m.

The tropical storm warning for Hawaii island has been canceled, but the flash flood warning remains in effect until 3:15 p.m. today as Hurricane Hone moves further away from the island.

Hone is expected to deliver persistent and widespread rainfall to portions of the Big Isle through tonight and high swells across the Hawaiian Islands.

At 1:46 p.m., the radar showed bands of moderate to locally heavy rains moving into the southeast flank of Hawaii island. While rainfall rates have been decreasing in the past few hours, the radar continues to show pockets of rain of up to 2 inches per hour.

In the Kau District, Highway 11 remains closed at Kawa Flats along with Wood Valley Road and Cane Haul Road near Pahala. Flooding has been reported across the roads of Naalehu.

Some locations expected to experience flash flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kapaau, Honokaa, Pohakuloa Training Area, Pohakuloa Camp, Volcano, Glenwood, Mountain View, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Wood Valley, Pahala, Hawaiian Acres, Papaikou, Keaau, Honomu, Pepeekeo, Orchidlands Estates and Laupahoehoe.

At about 2 p.m., Hone was located about 130 miles west-southwest of Kailua-Kona and about 160 miles south of Honolulu. Hone was packing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph with higher gusts moving west-northwest at 14 mph and expected to continue well south of the smaller Hawaiian islands through Monday morning. Hone is forecasted to pass well north of Johnston Island around midweek.

Hone is expected to weaken over the next couple of days and become a tropical storm by Monday.

Meanwhile, a high wind warning is in effect for portions of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe through 6 a.m. Monday. Northeast winds of 20 to 40 mph with localized gusts up to 60 mph have been forecasted.

“Damaging winds may blow down trees and power lines and damage roofs. Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles,” according to the forecast.

A wind advisory is in effect for portions of Oahu, Kauai, Kahoolawe and Niihau until 6 a.m. Monday.

Expect northeast winds of 30 to 40 mph with localized gusts over 50 mph.

“Winds this strong can tear off shingles, knock down tree branches, blow away tents and awnings and make it difficult to steer, especially for drivers of high-profile vehicles,” forecasters said. “Watch out for falling tree branches when walking or driving. Make sure tents and awnings are secure or take them down. Be prepared for power outages.”

1:25 p.m.

The tropical storm warning for Hawaii island remains in effect as heavy rain and wind gusts continue to pound the island while Hone passes south.

As a result, Hawaii County Civil Defense advises:

>> Highway 11 in the Kau District between Whittington Park and Punaluluu remains closed due to roadway flooding.

>> The Kau Gym in Pahala and Naalehu Community Center in Naalehu are open.

>> All other public shelters that opened Saturday have been closed as of noon today.

>> Hele On Bus routes that were suspended for the weekend will resume operations Monday morning.

>> The Department of Education schools are scheduled to remain open Monday morning. For families with children attending charter or private schools, please check with the school administration on the opening status.

For Hawaii County residents whose properties suffered damage due to Hurricane Hone, please report damages online on the Civil Defense website at this link or call Civil Defense at 808-935-0031.

11 a.m.

A tropical storm warning remains in effect and along with a flash flood warning until 12:15 p.m. for Hawaii County as Hurricane Hone gradually moves away from the island.

A tropical storm warning means tropical storm conditions are expected within the warning area.

At 10:06 a.m. today, the radar indicated a band of heavy rainfall over the southeast flank of the Big Isle. The highest recorded rainfall was 1 to 2 inches with up to 3 inches per hour between South Point and Volcano.

“Paauau gulch stream gauge is showing another spike in stream flow as of 10 am. In the Kau District, Highway 11 remains closed at Kawa Flats, and Wood Valley Road and Cane Haul Road remain closed near Pahala. Heavy rainfall will continue through the rest of the morning hours as Hurricane Hone moves westward to the southwest of the Big Island,” forecasters said.

At 11 a.m. today, Hone was located about 100 miles southwest of Kailua-Kona on Big Isle and about 175 miles south-southeast of Honolulu, packing maximum sustained winds of 80 mph with higher gusts while moving west-northwest at 12 mph.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 15 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 90 miles.

“Tropical Storm conditions will continue on the Big Island into the early afternoon, with gradually diminishing wind and rainfall through the evening. Winds will strongest downslope of higher terrain, over headlands, and through passes,” according to the forecast.

Some areas affected by flash flooding include Hilo, Hawaiian Paradise Park, Kapaau, Honokaa, Pohakuloa Training Area, Pohakuloa Camp, Volcano, Glenwood, Mountain View, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Wood Valley, Pahala, Hawaiian Acres, Papaikou, Keaau, Honomu, Pepeekeo, Orchidlands Estates and Laupahoehoe.

Hone is expected to produce an additional 3 to 5 inches of rainfall mostly over the windward- and southeast-facing slopes of Hawaii island, while an additional 1 to 3 inches of rainfall is possible mostly over the windward areas of the smaller islands.

EARLIER COVERAGE

Heavy rain and gusty winds are lashing Hawaii island, which remains under a tropical storm warning this morning as Hurricane Hone passes just south of the island.

At 8 a.m., Hone was centered about 90 miles south-southwest of Kona and 210 miles south-southeast of Honolulu, with maximum sustained winds of 85 mph and moving west at 8 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center. Hurricane-force winds extend up to 25 miles from the center and tropical storm-force winds extend up to 115 miles.

“Hone is expected to gradually weaken the next couple of days,” forecasters said.

Hone, which strengthened into a Category 1 hurricane overnight, is forecast to continue moving west, far south of the smaller islands, and weaken back to a tropical storm by Monday as it travels further from the state.

The passing tropical cyclone is still expected to deliver “strong and gusty easterly winds and periods of heavy rain” through Monday as Hone passes south of the islands, forecasters said today.

The Big Island is feeling the brunt of Hurricane Hone’s rain and winds.

A flash flood warning is in effect for the island until 9:15 a.m.

“At 5:49 a.m., radar showed heavy rainfall continuing to impact the southeast flank of the Big Island,” the warning said. “The highest rain rates were 1 to 2 inches per hour over the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park and Wood Valley. In the Kau District, Highway 11 remains closed at Kawa Flats, and Wood Valley Road and Cane Haul Road remain closed near Pahala. In the Puna District, North Kulani Road remains closed. Heavy rainfall will continue through the morning hours as Hurricane Hone moves westward to the southwest of the Big Island.”

At 4 a.m., Hone reached its closest point of approach to the island, passing about 45 miles south-southwest of South Point.

“Rainfall of 6 to 10 inches has already fallen across windward Big Island over the past 18 to 24 hours, and shower bands continue to move into the east and southeast slopes as Hone brushes past the Big Island,” forecasters said at 5 a.m.

“Bands of additional heavy showers will keep a moderate to high threat of flash flooding today over Hawaii County. The greatest potential for flooding will be across the eastern and southeastern windward slopes of the Big Island; including the Hamakua, Hilo, Puna, and Kau Districts. Additional rainfall estimates over these areas through Monday will range from 3 to 6 inches.”

Emergency shelters, which are all pet friendly, are open across Hawaii island. They include:

>> Ka‘u Herkes Gym and Naalehu Elementary School Cafeteria

>> Pahoa High School Gym, Keaau High School Library and G Building, and Mt. View Elementary School Cafeteria

>> Waiakea High School Gym in Hilo

>>Honokaa High School and Intermediate School Cafeteria

Several roads and highways, including Waipio Valley Access Road, were closed this morning due flooding.

Gusty winds from Hone were already being felt on the smaller islands this morning.

On Maui, county officials said Olinda Road was closed fronting Seabury Hall due to a large tree down with utility lines. And on Oahu, Paki Avenue was closed in the eastbound direction from Monsarrat to Kapahulu avenues due to a downed utility pole, city officials said.

The National Weather Service has issued a slew of advisories, watches and warnings for the entire state due to Hone, including:

>> A wind advisory for portions of Kahoolawe, Kauai, Lanai, Maui, Molokai, Niihau and Oahu until 6 a.m. Monday with northeast winds of 30 to 40 mph and gusts over 50 mph. “Winds this strong can tear off shingles, knock down tree branches, blow away tents and awnings and make it difficult to steer, especially for drivers of high-profile vehicles,” the advisory said.

>> A high wind warning is in effect until 6 a.m. Mondy for Kahoolawe, Lanai, and Maui, and Molokai with ortheast winds 20 to 40 mph and gusts up to 70 mph.

>> A high surf advisory until 6 p.m. for eastern shores of Molokai, Maui, Oahu and Kauai, with surf of 7 to 10 feet expected.

>> And a small craft advisory for Kauai Channel, Oahu Leeward Waters, Kaiwi Channel and Maui County Leeward Waters until 6 a.m. with seas of 10 to 15 feet.

Meanwhile in the East Pacific this morning, Category 3 Hurricane Gilma maintained its strength overnight but is still expected to weaken and dissipate when it reaches the Central Pacific.

At 5 a.m. today, Gilma was centered 1,415 miles east of Hilo, with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph, moving west at 9 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The latest five-day forecast has Gilma weakening to a post-tropical remnant low by Friday as it moves far to the northeast of Hawaii island.