"Iselle Batters Hawaii, Weakens To Tropical Storm"

"Tropical Storm Iselle battered Hawaii with driving winds and rising surf on Friday, knocking down trees and causing power outages, the first of two major storms due to hit the archipelago as the more powerful Hurricane Julio gathered steam behind it.

More than 1,200 people flocked to evacuation shelters across the Big Island, according to County of Hawaii Civil Defense, as heavy rains and strong winds pummeled areas of East Hawaii from the Puna area to the town of Hilo.

Hawaii Electric Light Company had about 5,000 customers without power, mostly in East Hawaii, a Hawaii County official said."

Malia Mattoch McManus reports for Reuters August 8, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Tropical Storm Iselle Impacts: Thousands Without Power as Storm Approaches Landfall" (Weather Channel)

"Hawaii, Which Almost Never Has Hurricanes, Is Getting Ready For 2" (NPR)

"Hurricane Iselle Closes in on Hawaii as Rain Begins Falling in Hilo" (Los Angeles Times)

"Rain, Winds Lash Hawaii; Flights Curtailed in Face of Iselle" (USA TODAY)