Update on Hurricane Lane: Public urged to remain vigilant
– 12:30 p.m. August 21, 2018 –
LĪHU‘E – County of Kaua‘i officials continue to monitor Hurricane Lane, and are urging the public to get prepared and remain vigilant over the next 48 hours as any shift to Lane’s track could result in severe weather impacts.
“Now is the time to prepare your homes and families,” said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. “Although we are not yet in a watch or warning, the current forecasted track of Hurricane Lane is concerning and I am urging all residents and visitors to prepare themselves.”
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the latest forecast anticipates that Kaua‘i County could feel effects of the storm – such as heavy rain, high surf, and strong winds – as early as Thursday evening into Friday. NWS reports that as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, Hurricane Lane continues to move west-northwest at 9 mph. This general motion is expected to continue through Tuesday night with a turn towards the northwest late Wednesday.
As Hurricane Lane approaches the state, the NWS has issued a Flash Flood Watch for all islands from 6 a.m. Wednesday through 6 p.m. Friday. A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that leads to flash flooding. Residents and visitors should monitor the weather and be prepared to take action in the event that a Flash Flood Warning is issued.
As a reminder, Mayor Carvalho, together with various state and county officials, will host a community meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday to discuss emergency preparedness for the isolated Wainiha-Hā‘ena community in advance of Hurricane Lane. The meeting will take place at the Opakapaka Grill at the Hanalei Colony Resort, in Wainiha.
The state Department of Transportation has announced that the convoy for limited local access to the communities of Wainiha and Hā‘ena will run on a Sunday/Holiday schedule on Wednesday, Aug. 22. A list of the Sunday/Holiday schedule can be found on the county’s “Flood Recovery” page at www.kauai.gov.
Officials recommend that residents and visitors take the following actions when preparing for a weather emergency:
- Emergency Preparedness Kits – Emergency preparedness kits should contain at least a 14-day supply of food and water (to include non-perishable food and one gallon of water per person per day). Kits should also include a battery powered radio, flashlight, an extra supply of prescription medicines and other items specific to individual and family needs. Set aside an emergency supply of any needed medication and keep a copy of your prescriptions in case you run out of medication after a disaster.
- Check Your Property – Walk your property, checking for small outdoor items that could be picked up by high winds, and check for potential flood threats. If time and conditions permit, clear your gutters and other drainage systems.
- Make an Action Plan – Discuss with family members what you plan to do if a hurricane or tropical storm threatens. Make an action plan, which should include details such as whether your family will shelter in place or evacuate to a shelter. There are no plans to open shelters at this time; however, the county will work with the American Red Cross to open shelters on an as-needed basis and will announce a list of open shelters if or when they become available.
- School Notifications – Visit the Hawai‘i State Department of Education (HIDOE) website, https://www.hawaiipublicschools.org, and social media, https://www.facebook.com/HIDOE808 and https://twitter.com/HIDOE808, for the latest information on possible school closures. Parents should make sure that their contact information on file with their child’s school is up-to-date, and that they understand the school’s closure notification procedure.
- Visitor Information – Visitors are urged to confirm flight arrangements with their airlines prior to heading to the airport. Visitors should review the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority’s travel safety tips at https://www.travelsmarthawaii.com. A copy of their brochure can also be downloaded from the site.
- Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative – KIUC members should prepare for potential storm impacts and possible power outages. Please see more information at the end of this news release, or visit https://website.kiuc.coop/.
- Kaua‘i Department of Water – DOW officials advise that during a weather emergency, strong winds and/or flooding can disrupt electrical power to DOW pumps and equipment, road-access to water sources, and may impact water quality. For more information on preparedness tips for a water emergency, please visit www.kauaiwater.org or see more information at the end of this news release.
- Stay Tuned – Continue to stay tuned to local media broadcast channels for the most up-to-date information. The following provides a list of important resources on emergency preparedness.
Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency – www.kauai.gov/kema
NOAA Central Pacific Hurricane Center – https://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/cphc/
National Weather Service – www.weather.gov/hawaii, or automated weather line at 245-6001
Blackboard Connect (The county’s free emergency notification service) – Sign up atwww.kauai.gov/kema, or call the KEMA at 241-1800
Additional Preparedness Tips from KIUC and DOW
Preparedness tips from Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative (KIUC):
- Protect your appliances and sensitive equipment from power outages and surges that may occur because of bad weather by using surge protectors.
- During a storm turn off and unplug all unnecessary appliances or equipment.
- Keep a portable battery-powered radio and flashlights on hand with extra batteries.
- In case of loss of power, when the power comes back on and is steady, gradually plug in your appliances.
- In the event of high winds, objects can come into contact with overhead lines and electrical equipment causing power interruptions. Sometimes during high winds power lines are knocked down. If you see any lines from utility poles on the ground, assume that they are dangerous and call 911.
Preparedness tips from Kaua‘i Department of Water (DOW):
- Stay tuned to news reports.
- Turn off or disconnect any devices or fixtures that regularly draw water, such as automatic ice makers, irrigation systems, etc.
- Store enough water for you and your family:
- Use clean containers, preferably those designed for water storage. Refrain from reusing food storage containers that may have contained food with strong odors (such as mayonnaise or pickles) or containers that previously stored non-food items as the water will pick up the odor during storage. Store water containers in a cool, dry place.
- Disinfect containers. Wash containers thoroughly, then rinse it in a mild bleach solution (one capful of liquid bleach to one gallon of water), then rinse thoroughly.
- Fill container with water from the tap. Fill the container to the top, keeping minimal amount of air between the water and the cap. Store it in cool, dark place.