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St. Pete contractors in Hawaii as Hurricane Lane barrels their way

What are the odds? A Florida man and group of St. Pete contractors talk about their time in Hawaii as a rare hurricane rages near-by.

While Florida is typically dealing with hurricanes this time of year, people in Hawaii are bracing for a monster storm heading their direction. The Category 4 hurricane brings a possible threat of catastrophic winds, heavy rain, and flooding

Ian Pyle is with a group of contractors working with St. Pete company, Suncoast Custom Design in Hawaii. They are working on a remodeling job for several timeshares, which is expected to take three months.

Pyle says they are in Lahaina, on the Island of Maui where a hurricane warning is in effect. The National Weather Service warns of deadly runoff from heavy rain, increasing the risk of rock slides, and mudslides there.

Ian Pyle: The biggest reaction around here is, people are scared and worried, because unlike back home in Florida, this isn't the norm. We went to two different grocery stores yesterday and they were already sold out of water and bread. The gas stations are packed. The line made it all the way to the wall on the left side of the building. It was crazy.

Sarah Rosario: Are people taking this storm seriously? Do you think people will evacuate?

Pyle: I haven't heard much about evacuation orders. We looked up flights. Tickets yesterday were at $400. Today at $1100. They haven't made a state of emergency or evacuated us. We are staying on the 11th floor of a condo, so that is more of my worry. I don't think the buildings are built the same as they are in Florida.

Rosario: Are you right on the water?

Pyle: We are as close as you can get on the water. The weather isn't bad right now, it is a little bit windy. Another concern is the flooding. With a lot of the mountains there will be a good amount of runoff. The mountains are right behind us and the flooding is a big concern from what I've heard from everyone else.

Rosario: It is weakening, so hopefully you'll be okay.

Pyle: That's awesome. I haven't been able to check the news today, so that's very good news for me.

Pyle says they plan to ride out the storm. Since he’s on an island he’s concerned if things get bad he’ll have no way to escape. At some point airports will close. He says officials closed ports in Honolulu yesterday. He and the group will be back the week before Thanksgiving. Thankfully we’ll be out of Hurricane season by then.

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