Blog note. Jesus indicated that ‘fearful sights’ (various natural disasters) would occur leading up to the time known as the Tribulation and Great Tribulation (a combined seven year period of great destruction on earth). Although these types of things have occurred in the past for centuries and thousands of years, they could be identified as the ‘season of the times’ due to the ferociousness of these events. They would be occurring in greater intensity, severity, frequency, size, duration, scope … just like the pains that a women experiences in labor the farther along she is in the labor process. We are in the ‘season of the times’ that comes just before the seven (7) year Tribulation/Great Tribulation period

… 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).

… And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; (Luke 21:25)

… Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken; (Luke 21:26)

… This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. (2 Timothy 3:1)

Jesus is giving a series of prophecies about what to look for as the age of grace comes to a close. These verses are several 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, size and duration prior to giving birth. End of note.

Historic winter storm impacts Hawaii with massive waves, coastal flooding and rare snow

Posted by Teo Blašković on February 11, 2019. Watchers.news.

A low pressure area described by NWS Honolulu as historic is affecting Hawaii with strong gusty winds, rain squalls and large destructive surf since Friday, February 8, 2019. The storm, known as Kona low, is now slowly drifting NE of the state but strong winds will continue overnight and authorities urge people to remain cautious. One person was killed during the storm and over 25 000 customers left without power. The DLNR Division of State Parks reports that for perhaps the first time ever, snow has fallen in a Hawai‘i State Park. 

“The forecasters were spot on with their predictions. They’re calling this an unprecedented event and we concur that we rarely if ever have seen the combination of record high on-shore waves, coupled with gale force winds,” Sam Lemmo, administrator of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) said.

Widespread wind gusts of 65 to 100 km/h (40 – 60 mph) were reported across the islands; 85 km/h (53 mph) was recorded in Oahu, 107 km/h (67 mph) at Port Allen and 307 km/h (191 mph) at the top of Mauna Kea.

“That’s the strongest wind gust I’ve ever seen [at Mauna Kea],” said Jon Jelsema, senior forecaster at the Weather Service office in Honolulu. “We tend to get a gust maybe to 241 km/h (150 mph) once a winter or so, but never 191 mph.”

Trees and power poles were knocked down, leaving about 26 870 customers across the state without power at 16:00 LT, February 10 (02:00 UTC, February 11). Just over 2 400 remained without power Monday morning, February 11.

Officials opened two evacuation centers Sunday morning and urged residents to monitor conditions and be cautious, especially those living on the north shores where coastal flooding was expected.

A 66-year-old California man died Friday, February 8 after getting stuck in rough ocean conditions in Napili Bay, off northwest Maui. One person was seriously injured when a utility pole fell on his vehicle on February 10.

The storm has forced the closure of numerous state parks across the state. Many campers cleared out ahead of the storm and officers from the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources manned roadblocks on closed roads.

Kaena Point State Park Reserve closed Saturday, February 9 and DOCARE officers were stationed at Dillingham Air Field to stop people from entering. They also asked a half dozen surfers at Malaekahana State Recreation Area to exit the water on Sunday morning (HST).

DLNR is particularly concerned about the possible impacts of wave inundation and shoreline retreat undercutting the foundations of some north shore homes, already under siege from previous coastal events.

The DLNR Division of State Parks reports that for perhaps the first time ever, snow has fallen in a Hawai‘i State Park. Polipoli State Park on Maui is blanketed with snow. It could also be the lowest elevation snow ever recorded in the state. Polipoli is at 1.8 km (6 200 feet) elevation.

Haleakala, a shield volcano in East Maui, received several inches of snow. Jelsema described this as very unusual.

“All of the emergency management agencies and the National Weather Service did a great job coordinating efforts, forewarning people, and from our observations, folks are paying attention,” Case concluded.

Asked if this storm was more powerful than the 1980 Kona low, NWS Honolulu said its hard to say at this moment. “We are still busy forecasting the weather impacts. However, after the storm passes we’ll have time for a more thorough historical analysis.

The 1980 Kona low caused severe weather across the entire state, forcing the closure of all airports. Rainfall was extremely heavy, surpassing 508 mm (20 inches) in many locations, particularly on the Big Island and Maui.

High surf from the storm caused extensive damage, particularly along the Kona coast of the Big Island, where the towns of Kailua-Kona and Puako received extensive damage.

Winds from the storm averaged around 65 – 80 km/h (40-50 mph) on the open ocean, but varied tremendously on land due to unique geographic features.

Some areas experienced wind gusts well over hurricane force, including a low altitude gust of 171 km/h (106 mph) on Lahaina Roads, Maui. Haiku, on the windward coast of Maui, experienced a wind gust of 121 km/h (75 mph).

On the high mountain summits of the Big Island and Maui, winds of over 180 km/h (110 mp) were recorded.

Damage from the storm was estimated at between $25 and 35 million (in 1980 dollars).

Featured image: Kona low affecting Hawaii on February 10, 2019. Credit: NASA/NOAA Suomi NPP/VIIRS