(BIVN) – A High Surf Warning is now in effect for east facing shores of Hawai‘i Island, as Hurricane Norman drifts west, 620 miles east of Hilo.

Norman is a Category One hurricane, with maximum sustained winds are near 80 mph. “Some increase in intensity is expected during the next 24 hours, with Norman expected to remain a hurricane into Thursday,” the Central Pacific Hurricane Center reported at 5 p.m. HST. “A continued westward motion with a decrease in forward speed is expected tonight. Norman will turn toward the west-northwest on Wednesday, then turn toward the northwest on Wednesday night and Thursday.”

According to the National Weather Service on Honolulu:

A large east swell associated with Hurricane Norman is expected to start spreading across the eastern end of the island chain tonight. Surf along the east facing shores of the Big Island and Maui will likely see surf rise to advisory levels this evening and to warning levels by Wednesday. Surf along east facing shores of Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai will likely see surf rise to advisory levels Wednesday, and to Warning levels by Thursday. The swell is expected to peak Thursday into Thursday night.

Wave heights will increase to 6 to 8 feet this evening, 8 to 12 feet late tonight, 10 to 15 feet Wednesday, and to 12 to 18 ft late Wednesday and Thursday, forecasters say.

Due to the forecasted weather conditions, Hawai‘i County Civil Defense says the following public safety measures and recommendations are now in effect:

Boat owners should take measures to secure their vessels until the danger passes.

Oceanfront residents are urged to be on alert for high and dangerous surf conditions.

Complete preparations before nightfall.

Be prepared as conditions can change rapidly!

More information on hurricane preparedness can be found here: http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/emergency-preparedness

From the Central Pacific Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. HST discussion: