Hurricane warning issued for Big Island

A hurricane warning has been issued for the Big Island ahead of the expected arrival of Hurricane Madeline.

Madeline was located 480 miles east of Kailua-Kona and packing 120 mph winds as it continued to track at 10 mph, according to the Central Pacific Hurricane Center.

The storm’s expected to pass near or over the Big Island Thursday morning.

A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected within the specified area. Because outside preparedness activities become difficult once winds reach tropical storm force, warnings are issued 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical-storm-force winds, according to the National Weather Service.