Hurricane Madeline weakened to a tropical storm on Wednesday as it advanced toward Hawaii's Big Island, while a hurricane warning was issued for another storm approaching the Gulf Coast of Florida, where the governor has called an emergency. 


Strong winds and driving rain pounded both northwest Florida and Big Island as residents braced for even wilder weather. 


Hawaii officials opened shelters and closed offices, schools and roads on Wednesday to prepare for Madeline, which is expected to pass just south of the Big Island. 


"We should all be hunkering down as the storm passes," said Hawaii County Civil Defense spokeswoman Kanani Aton. 


Madeline, as it weakened with sustained winds of about 70 mph (113 kph) on Wednesday afternoon, was about 75 miles (121 km) southeast of the Big Island, said Central Pacific Hurricane Center meteorologist Ray Tanabe

Source: NNA