08-13-2007, 08:40 AM
There have been direct hits on the Big Island from tropical storms as recently as the 1950's when one passed over Hamakua and Waimea doing a lot of damage. I believe the hurricane that Bystander mentions was in the 1860's and has been confirmed as a full scale hurricane by the detailed damage reports made by missionaries and sea captains at the time. That was a long time ago, but indicates that hurricanes are possible, if infrequent, on the BI. Global warming could increase the frequency according to some experts.
Professional meteorologists do just about all disagree with the theory that the mountains keep hurricanes away, although they say that the mountains can break them up and cause them to rapidly lose power once they get near them. The factor that meteorologists do seem to agree is in the BI's favor is the fact that the water is cooler east and southeast of here than it is farther north and west around Kauai and Oahu. Since most hurricanes approach from the east, we get a break. If they make a right turn after passing South Point, it can be really bad news for the Kauai and Oahu.
Cheers,
Jerry
Professional meteorologists do just about all disagree with the theory that the mountains keep hurricanes away, although they say that the mountains can break them up and cause them to rapidly lose power once they get near them. The factor that meteorologists do seem to agree is in the BI's favor is the fact that the water is cooler east and southeast of here than it is farther north and west around Kauai and Oahu. Since most hurricanes approach from the east, we get a break. If they make a right turn after passing South Point, it can be really bad news for the Kauai and Oahu.
Cheers,
Jerry