Blog note: And great earthquakes shall be in diverse places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. (Luke 21:11). Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for as the age of grace comes to a close. This verse from Luke is one of many such prophecies from throughout the Bible. 2017 was the worst year in recorded history for the intensity, frequency, severity, duration and occurrence of a large number of severe natural disasters worldwide. Earthquakes, volcanoes, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, torrential flooding, unprecedented wildfires in unusual places, devastating droughts, excessive/scorching heat setting records everywhere, record snowfalls in Europe and Russia. Snow in the Arabia. This list can go on. Most studied eschatologists believe these ‘fearful sights’ and massive natural disasters are all part of the ‘CONVERGENCE’ of signs that this Biblical and prophetic age is closing. Most people who study prophecy are familiar with the routine reference(s) made that these things will be like a woman having labor pains that occur in greater severity, frequency and occurrence prior to giving birth. End of note.

 Hector remains powerful Category 4 storm southeast of islands

Thursday, August 2nd 2018, 11:15 am EDTTuesday, August 7th 2018, 11:07 am EDT

By HNN Staff. By Ben Gutierrez, Reporter / Weather Anchor.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) –

Hurricane Hector is still churning closer to the Hawaiian islands on Tuesday as a powerful Category 4 storm to the southeast of Hawaii.

A tropical storm watch remains in effect for Hawaii Island, which means tropical storm conditions are possible for the area within a 48 hour time period. Forecasters say tropical storm force winds could affect the Big Island Tuesday night and Wednesday. The latest advisory, issued at  5 a.m. Tuesday said Hector weakened in intensity, packing maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour, with occasional higher gusts.

The storm was moving west-northwest at roughly 16 mph. According to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, the center of the storm was located about 540 miles east-southeast of Hilo, or about 750 miles east-southeast of Honolulu.

An updated forecast projects the center of the storm to move on a slightly more southerly course than previous tracks, and forecasters say the center of Hector is expected to pass roughly 150 miles south of the Big Island sometime on Wednesday. Any deviation northward could bring Hector close enough to impact the Big Island.

Possible impacts on the Big Island include:

WIND: Hazardous winds could occur over the island, causing damage to porches, awnings, carports and sheds. Unsecured lightweight objects could be blown about. Many large trees may also have limbs broken off, and trees with shallow roots (such as albizias) could be snapped or uprooted. A few roads may be blocked by debris, and there could be scattered power and communications outages.

FLOODING RAIN: There could be locally hazardous rainfall, especially in the Puna and Ka’u Districts, and localized flooding may cause evacuations. Rivers and streams may also rise rapidly.

LARGE SURF: Surf was already building Monday night and is expected to peak at 15 to 20 feet, mainly for the Puna and Ka’u District shorelines, late Tuesday or Wednesday.

The rest of the state will see little to no impact from Hector. Forecasters note that hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 35 miles from the center, and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 105 miles. Gradual weakening is forecast over the next few days. Remember that the forecast track and intensity can and will change.