Tropical Storm Flossie bearing down on Hawaiian Islands

Tropical Storm Flossie was bearing down on Hawaii, carrying the threat of heavy rains and dangerous surf. Flossie, with maximum sustained winds of 50 mph, was about 165 miles east of Hilo and 370 miles east-southeast of Honolulu, traveling west at 16 mph, the National Weather Service Central pacific Hurricane Center in Honolulu said in its 2 a.m. HDT advisory Monday. A tropical storm warning was posted for the islands of Oahu, Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai and Kahoolawe. A tropical storm watch was in effect for Kauai and Niihau. Flossie was expected to remain its forecast tract for most of the day before shifting to the west-northwest. Some weakening is forecast during the next two days, forecasters said. Flossie was expected to bring heavy rain over the warning area through Monday night. Rainfall totals of 4 to 10 inches were possible, with isolated amounts of 12-15 inches, forecasters said. Rainfall could cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides, the hurricane center said. Flossie was expected to generate dangerously high surf into Tuesday for east-facing shores of Hawaii, the Big Island. Hawaii County Mayor Billy Kenoi said non-essential workers were to stay home Monday, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported. Maui Mayor Alan Arakawa closed county parks and offices. Kenoi and Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie issued emergency proclamations.