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Hawaii island spared by hurricane Hawaii island spared by hurricane
(about 8 hours later)
Strong winds and powerful waves have hit the Big Island of Hawaii as a weakening hurricane travels to the south of the US Pacific state.Strong winds and powerful waves have hit the Big Island of Hawaii as a weakening hurricane travels to the south of the US Pacific state.
US weather experts said Hurricane Flossie, now a Category 2 storm, was no longer expected to make landfall. US weather experts said Hurricane Flossie, now a Category 1 storm, was no longer expected to make landfall.
Nevertheless, authorities declared a state of emergency and told islanders to stock up on food and water supplies.Nevertheless, authorities declared a state of emergency and told islanders to stock up on food and water supplies.
The storm, with winds of 160km/h (100mph), is expected to pass some 150km (90 miles) south of the island. The tropical storm, with winds of up to 70mph (113km/h), is expected to pass south of the island.
Sustained winds of up to 80km/h (50mph) were reported, as well as waves standing about 8m (25ft) tall.
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All 56 public schools on Big Island, as well as private schools, have been closed. Flossie spent most of its wrath at sea, where eight-metre (25ft) tall waves were reported.
Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle signed an emergency proclamation activating the National Guard before the storm arrived. The centre of the storm was located about 280 miles (451km) south-southeast of Honolulu, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said at 0900 GMT on Wednesday.
The Big Island has a population of 150,000 people, most of whom live away from the area expected to endure the worst of the weather. Other islands in Hawaii's Pacific Island archipelago were less affected by the storm. It said Flossie was moving north-northwest at about 10mph (16km/h).
All 56 public schools - as well as private schools - on the Big Island remain closed, and the island's 150,000 people have been told to stay clear of the coast on Wednesday.
Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle earlier signed an emergency proclamation activating the National Guard before the storm arrived.
Other islands in Hawaii's Pacific Island archipelago - including the main island of Oahu - were less affected by the storm, US weather experts said.
The hurricane followed a magnitude 5.6 earthquake on the Big Island on Monday that caused little damage and no reported injuries.The hurricane followed a magnitude 5.6 earthquake on the Big Island on Monday that caused little damage and no reported injuries.
Hurricanes are rare in Hawaii, which lies in the heart of the Pacific Ocean.Hurricanes are rare in Hawaii, which lies in the heart of the Pacific Ocean.
The last time Hawaii was affected was in 1992 when the island of Kauai was struck. Six people died and the island suffered $2.5bn (£1.25bn) worth of damage.The last time Hawaii was affected was in 1992 when the island of Kauai was struck. Six people died and the island suffered $2.5bn (£1.25bn) worth of damage.