Lane becomes a tropical storm again as it moves away from island - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL

Lane has once again become a tropical storm as it moves away from the Hawaiian Islands. 

At 5 a.m. Monday, Central Pacific Hurricane Center forecasters said Lane was 520 miles west-southwest of Honolulu and was moving west at 8 mph. It  was packing maximum sustained winds near 40 mph. 

The storm's intensity had steadily decreased over the last several days, becoming a tropical depression on Sunday. And though it strengthened overnight, forecasters say it will continue to weaken until it becomes a post-tropical remnant low by Tuesday. 

Lingering moisture from Lane could still trigger heavy showers, forecasters said.

"We dodged a bullet," said Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell, speaking at a news conference Friday. "Mother Nature is unpredictable and this event brought us all together like never before."

Lane was downgraded to a tropical storm Friday just 24 hours after the cyclone was a Category 3 hurricane.

And officials said Hawaii has strong shear to thank for breaking up the storm.

"It took awhile ... but once the 35 to 45 knots of shear began to impact the core convection from Lane, the battle ended quickly," the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said, Friday afternoon. "We will be happy to get rid of the tropical cyclone in our vicinity. Until then, people should be mindful of additional impacts that can still occur until Lane departs."

Tom Travis, head of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency, said Lane has "allowed us to prepare."

And, he pointed out that the state did see significant effects from the storm.

On the Big Island, heavy downpours through Friday triggered widespread flooding and evacuations, and closed several main thoroughfares. 

Over the course of three days, rain gauges measured more than 40 inches of rainfall in several areas, with Waiakea Uka receiving the most at over 45 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

A flash flood warning remains in effect for parts of the island. 

Meanwhile, brisk winds helped fan the flames from a large brush fire in West Maui that destroyed or damaged at least seven homes and scorched thousands of acres and damaged several homes.

"We must stay read and help those affected," Travis said.

Lane roared toward the state as a powerful hurricane, and officials said its sheer size and intensity spurred them to prepare for the worst. 

On Tuesday night, Lane became one of only two recorded Category 5 hurricanes to pass within 350 miles of the Big Island's South Point. The last: Hurricane John in 1994.

And as recently as Friday morning, Caldwell said he was planning for "major impacts" on Oahu.

But by that evening, he said city services would start returning to normal soon. 

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This story will be updated.

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