HAWAII residents already reeling from months of explosive eruptions from the Kilauea volcano are bracing for Hurricane Lane, which is bearing down on the US island chain with high winds and lashing rains and the potential to trigger flooding and landslides.

Though the hurricane weakened slightly as it spun across the Pacific Ocean it remains a Category 4 storm, the second-strongest on the five-step Saffir-Simpson scale of wind intensity, according to the US Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

“The centre of Lane will track dangerously close to the islands Thursday through Saturday,” the centre said in an advisory.

“Life threatening impacts are likely in some areas as the hurricane makes its closest approach.”

Lane was about 505km south of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, US forecasters said.

It was expected to begin a turn toward the northwest of the island late on Wednesday (local time), followed by a turn to the north-northwest on Thursday (local time).

Packing 250km per hour winds, the storm could dump as much as 50cm of rain over parts of the archipelago, triggering major flash flooding and landslides, according to the National Weather Service.

Space Station Captures Stunning Views of Hurricane Lane Space Station Captures Stunning Views of Hurricane Lane

“The president is deeply concerned for the wellbeing of all Hawaiians and has directed FEMA and administration officials to remain in close co-ordination with the state of Hawaii and stand ready to support them in whatever they need,” White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders told reporters.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said it on its website that it was closely monitoring the progress of the storm.

Hawaii’s public schools will be closed for the rest of the week in anticipation of the powerful hurricane.

The state Department of Education says schools are expected to re-open on Monday.

Many schools are used as emergency shelters.

Maui County shelters are preparing to open while shelters.

Because of Hurricane Lane’s arrival, state workers are being told to stay home for the rest of the week, unless they are essential employees

US Navy ships and submarines based in Hawaii were instructed to leave port, a common practice as a hurricane approaches to avoid potential damages.

Hawaii Residents Line Up for Gas Before Dawn Ahead of Hurricane Hawaii Residents Line Up for Gas Before Dawn Ahead of Hurricane

Hawaii Governor David Ige issued an emergency proclamation for the storm and said state offices and public and charter schools would be closed until further notice.

US President Donald Trump yesterday took to Twitter to urge those in the hurricane’s line of fire to heed the advice of experts.

Everyone in the path of #HurricaneLane please prepare yourselves, heed the advice of State and local officials, and follow @NWSHonolulu for updates. Be safe! https://t.co/kCwtL8UxNI — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018

People rushed to stock up on essentials yesterday.

Some customers were buying cases of bottled water at Island Grocery Depot in Kahului, Maui, manager Brian Arakaki said.

Hawaiian Airlines waived change fees for tickets to, from, within and through Hawaii from Tuesday through Sunday.

“People are getting ready, which is exactly what we want,” Maui County spokesman Rod Antone said.

He reminded people to have emergency kits ready and to “withdraw cash. Remember, if the power goes out, ATMs aren’t going to be working.”

The most powerful storm on record hitting Hawaii was Hurricane Iniki, a Category 4 that made landfall on Kauai island on September 11, 1992, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

It killed six people and damaged or destroyed more than 14,000 homes.