• People gather on a bridge to watch the Wailuku River flood waters on the Big Island, in Hilo, Hawaii. Hurricane Lane has brought more than a foot of rain to some parts of the Big Island which is under a flash flood warning. Mario Tama / AFP
    People gather on a bridge to watch the Wailuku River flood waters on the Big Island, in Hilo, Hawaii. Hurricane Lane has brought more than a foot of rain to some parts of the Big Island which is under a flash flood warning. Mario Tama / AFP
  • Nina Roberts shops for last minute supplies while shelves remain empty as Hurricane Lane approaches Honolulu, Hawaii. Hugh Gentry / Reuters
    Nina Roberts shops for last minute supplies while shelves remain empty as Hurricane Lane approaches Honolulu, Hawaii. Hugh Gentry / Reuters
  • People watch the sunset on Waikiki Beach ahead of Hurricane Lane in Honolulu. John Locher / AP Photo
    People watch the sunset on Waikiki Beach ahead of Hurricane Lane in Honolulu. John Locher / AP Photo
  • Michael and Paris Mendina, visiting from California, take a photo of the store closure sign due to Hurricane Lane. Hurricane Lane was downgraded to a Category 3, but the storm's slow motion threatened Hawaii with days of rain. Parts of the Big Island were soaked with more than a foot of rain Thursday. Ronen Zilberman / AFP
    Michael and Paris Mendina, visiting from California, take a photo of the store closure sign due to Hurricane Lane. Hurricane Lane was downgraded to a Category 3, but the storm's slow motion threatened Hawaii with days of rain. Parts of the Big Island were soaked with more than a foot of rain Thursday. Ronen Zilberman / AFP
  • People gather on a bridge to watch the Wailuku River flood waters on the Big Island. Mario Tama / AFP
    People gather on a bridge to watch the Wailuku River flood waters on the Big Island. Mario Tama / AFP
  • This satellite image obtained from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Hurricane Lane. NOAA / AFP
    This satellite image obtained from The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Hurricane Lane. NOAA / AFP
  • A man stands along the beach as waves crash in Honolulu, Hawaii. John Locher AP Photo
    A man stands along the beach as waves crash in Honolulu, Hawaii. John Locher AP Photo
  • People stand near flood waters in Hilo, Hawaii. Hollyn Johnson / Hawaii Tribune-Herald via AP
    People stand near flood waters in Hilo, Hawaii. Hollyn Johnson / Hawaii Tribune-Herald via AP
  • Visitors take photos of the waves crashing on the seawall. Bruce Omori / EPA
    Visitors take photos of the waves crashing on the seawall. Bruce Omori / EPA

The Americas

Hurricane Lane pummels Hawaii with torrential rain - in pictures

Flash flooding and landslides triggered on Pacific island chain

The National

August 24, 2018

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Torrential rains struck Hawaii as Hurricane Lane moved towards the island chain, triggering land slides and flash flooding.

At 6am GMT (10am UAE), the US National Weather Service said the hurricane was packing winds of almost 200kph, despite being downgraded to category three.

Currently located some 230 miles south of the capital Honolulu, Hurricane Lane was expected to hit very close to the islands on Thursday night or Friday morning.

"Hurricane Lane is still a dangerous and powerful storm," Governor David Ige said on Thursday.

Read more: Hawaii residents hunker down as Hurricane Lane approaches

Up to 30cm of rain had already fallen, federal authorities said, with 90cm expected in the worst-hit areas over the coming four to five days.

Over two feet of rain have already fallen at a couple of locations on the windward side of the Big Island, the National Hurricane Centre said.

Emergency teams have set up 16 evacuation centres, with a further 19 due to open later as US President Donald Trump, who has declared a state of emergency, urged Hawaiians to hunker down and prepare for the worst.

"Our teams are closely coordinating with the state and local authorities. You are in our thoughts!" Mr Trump tweeted.

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