Tropical Storm Flossie strengthened overnight as it headed toward Maui County and Hawaii island, where it could come ashore after midnight tonight.

Hawaii and Maui counties are under tropical storm warnings and a statewide flash flood watch is in effect as Flossie threatens to bring strong winds, heavy rains and potentially dangerous surf to all islands.

The warning, issued at 11 p.m. Saturday, means that tropical storm-force sustained winds of 39 mph or more are expected within 36 hours. Oahu is under a tropical storm watch, which means tropical storm conditions are expected within 48 hours.

A flash flood watch has been issued for all islands from Monday morning through Tuesday night.

The storm could drop up to 15 inches of rain to windward areas of Maui and Hawaii counties, and 6 to 10 inches in other areas, forecasters said. Up to 12 inches of rain could fall on windward Oahu and 4 to 8 inches in central and leeward areas. Kauai may see 2 to 4 inches of rain, with up to 6 inches on windward slopes.

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