Winds were in the 15- to 25-mph range at 4:20 p.m. today with gusts of 40 mph. Tomorrow, winds are expected to increase to the 20- to 35-mph range with gusts of 50 mph or higher. Higher gusts will be hit the down-slope areas of the island.

The weather service predicts periodic, heavy showers that could bring anywhere from 5 to 8 inches of rain.

The forecasted high winds and heavy rains should begin to affect O'ahu later this afternoon and last through Saturday morning. The weather will be similar in nature to the rains of Jan. 14 last year, the weather service said.

In January, winds raked O'ahu with gusts that measured 85 mph and 60 mph on National Weather Service recording devices.

The winds snapped 19 utility poles along Kamehameha Highway just outside Wahiawa. Nearly 70,000 electricity customers on O'ahu lost power.

If the rainfall increases, residents should pay close attention to television and radio reports for the possible issuance of a flash flood warning by the National Weather Service.

The O'ahu Civil Defense Agency urges residents to consider the following safety precautions:

• Learn the safest route from your home or place of business to high, safe ground should you have to evacuate in a hurry.

• Those who live in frequently flooded areas should keep materials on hand that can be used to protect properties, such as sandbags, plywood, plastic sheeting, and lumber.

• Do not allow young children to play along streams or near drainage ditches. Those areas can quickly turn deadly during periods of heavy rainfall.

• If your car stalls in a flooded area, abandon it as soon as possible. Flood waters can rise rapidly and sweep a car away. Many deaths have resulted from attempts to move stalled vehicles. DO NOT attempt to drive through flooded areas as portions of the road may already be washed out and the water could be much deeper than it appears.

• Hikers should use extreme caution any time there is a possibility for heavy rains. Hawai'i streams can go from a trickle to a raging flood within minutes if previous rainfall has been substantial.

• Prepare a 72-hour family home survival kit with food, water, clothing, blankets and other necessities. Keep this kit readily available in case evacuation to a shelter or other location becomes necessary.

• Create a family disaster plan. Discuss possible emergency actions and alternate meeting places in the event you are separated from one another.

• If you experience a flood- or high-wind-related emergency and need assistance, call 911.