Hurricane Hone is set to impact Hawaii's Big Island with heavy rainfall and damaging winds as it tracks south of the island early Sunday morning, as reported by the National Hurricane Center. The storm has intensified into a Category 1 hurricane with sustained winds of 75 mph. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Hawaii County.

Residents of the Big Island should brace themselves for potentially significant rain accumulation, ranging from 6 to 12 inches, which raises concerns of potential flooding. The hurricane center has also warned of "life-threatening" surf conditions on the island, which could pose additional risks to coastal areas.

Flash flood warnings have been issued for various areas of the island, including Hilo and Waimea, until 6:15 a.m. local time. Social media videos from the Big Island have emerged, showing the power of Hurricane Hone as trees sway vigorously in the wind amidst heavy downpours.

As of Sunday afternoon, more than 15,000 utility customers on Hawaii's Big Island were left without power, according to PowerOutage.US. This disruption creates additional challenges for residents already dealing with the impact of the storm.

Hurricane Hone is currently positioned approximately 115 miles south-southwest of Hilo, with sustained winds of 80 mph. The storm is moving westward at a speed of 10 mph. The National Hurricane Center predicts the storm's movement to continue on Monday, followed by a slight decrease in forward speed thereafter.

Officials are urging residents to take precautions and follow any evacuation orders or safety guidelines issued by local authorities. It is crucial for individuals to stay updated on the latest weather forecasts and remain vigilant throughout the duration of Hurricane Hone's effects on the Big Island.

As the storm progresses, emergency response teams, utilities, and local agencies are working tirelessly to restore power and ensure public safety on the affected island.