Hurricane Hector was recently upgraded to a major hurricane, as its winds surged to an incredible 120mph.
The deadly hurricane has alarmed metereologists who claim that Hawaii, already savaged by the Kilauea Volcano eruptions, is in its predicted path.
A collision between the huge hurricane and the fragile volcano threatens Hawaii residents with flooding, mudslides and toxic acid rain.
Winds and rainstorms sparked by the hurricane is likely to mix with volcanic gases, causing toxic precipitation which puts crops, drinking water and infrastructure at risk.
This has caused widespread alarm among Hawaii residents, many of whom are still living in evacuation centres due to Kilauea’s devastation earlier this summer.
Forecasts from the National Hurricane Center have warned that news that the storm has weakened are misleading.
They explained that the hurricane, upgraded to a Category 3, will gain strength “suddenly and rapidly” as its moves towards Hawaii.
The hurricane could make landfall in the second half of next week.
The Hurricane Center experts added: “This is a good time for everyone in the Hawaiian Islands to ensure they have their hurricane plan in place.”
Central Pacific Hurricane Center’s John Bravender said: “All options are on the table. It could move northwards to our latitude and have direct and significant impacts.
“Hector is a small hurricane and the smaller hurricanes tend vary their strength quite rapidly more than than a larger hurricane and as it comes near us, it’s certainly not out of the possibility of it being stronger than anticipated.”
Hector would be the first hurricane of the hurricane season to enter Central Pacific waters.
The hurricane season officially began June 1st and runs through November 30th.