The Hawaii hurricane is threatening to unleash strong winds, rain and pounding surf on the islands by the end of the week.
CBS News weather forecaster David Parkinson warned the “big concern” is the slow speed of the hurricane, which could unleash devastating flooding on the islands.
He said: “It’s not moving very quickly and that is the big concern. As it doesn’t move very quickly we are likely to see lots of rain.”
Mr Parkinson added: “Over the next two or three days the winds will back down just a little bit so it is a category three as it passes the Big Island, down to a category two, then it is a category one as it makes that turn closer to Oahu and Kauai.”
The weather forecaster warned Hawaii residents must “be on alert” as the storm threatens to cause widespread devastation.
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The CBS news forecaster said Kahoolawe, which is the main town in Maui, could get around a foot to maybe a foot to a half of rain.
He added: “10 to 15 inches on Oahu, that’s the most populated island. There’s a million people living there.
“So the big concern there is that if you have this fresh water flooding you have all the extra rain moving into canals and things like that.
“You could really have a really bad flooding situation. Even if you don’t get the winds materialising.
“Here’s the thing – the winds are on the low end. This is the official thing out of the watches and warnings. 45 gusts and 65 – but they are saying it is possible it could get to 110 if the storm takes a closer path to the islands. So that’s why we need to be really careful.”
Hawaii is reported to have only 277,376 available shelter spaces for the population of 1.4 million.
Hawaii State Emergency Management Administrator Tom Travis said in a news conference that residents who are not in flood zones should shelter in place rather than crowding the limited shelters.
Mr Travis said: “The sheltering policy should — if you’re not in a flood zone, most citizens should remain in their homes.
“If in a flood zone, actively seek shelter elsewhere with someone not in a flood zone or in a public shelter.”
The NOAA released a 8am (7pm BST) update on Hurricane Lane, advising that the “Hawaiian Islands remain vulnerable as Category 4 Hurricane Lane passes south of the Big Island.”
Hurricane Lane was downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 4 hurricane on Wednesday on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
National Hurricane Centre meteorologist, Thomas Birchard, said a direct hit anywhere in Hawaii “would be worst case scenario.”
Eric Lau from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center also warned Hawaii residents must to “stay vigilant and really be aware of surroundings”. He added: “Know where your evacuation centres are and have your hurricane kits readily available.”
He added: “As the storm approaches, we are looking at the potential for really heavy rainfall, strong damaging winds.
“So we really urge the residents of Hawaii to really be prepared.”