New Jerseyans who were vacationing in Hawaii this week say that they were happy to get off the island ahead of Hurricane Lane.

The storm soaked Hawaii’s Big Island with nearly 20 inches of rain Thursday.

Tourists who arrived at Newark Liberty International Airport Thursday afternoon said that they had already booked their flights home ahead of the storm. They say that there was a scramble for flights as some cut their trips early.

“We were still swimming on Wednesday. It was beautiful,” says Ridgewood resident Margaret Kelly. “We saw stormy skies…but as tourists, you’re very happy.”

But some say that they tried to come home early because of the threat of Lane.

“We tried to bump it a day earlier, but everything was totally sold out,” says Lauren Kelly.

But some were actually heading to Hawaii Thursday. Brian and Levi Lakin live in Hawaii and were in New Jersey visiting.

“It will be interesting to fly in, and whether or not there’ll be turbulence,” said Brian Lakin.

Kain says that after they fly to Kona, they still have to drive 90 minutes.

Many said that while they were leaving Hawaii they saw FEMA representatives coming into the state with supplies to prepare for hurricane recovery.