Hurricane season goes from June 1 to Nov. 30 in Hawai’i, and taking steps to prepare your home and your family is important to help stay safe.
Guam is experiencing impacts of Super Typhoon Mawar with downed power lines and devastating conditions, leaving most of the island without power toward the end of the week. Intense rainfall spurred flooding and infrastructure damage. With internet connections and ATMs down, residents of the U.S. Pacific territory were required to use cash to purchase supplies, groceries and gas.
While we hope and pray for friends and family in Guam, it is a reminder in Hawai’i to take action to ensure our own readiness. There is still time before the start of hurricane season to learn about vulnerability to hurricane hazards, develop an emergency plan and have two weeks of emergency supplies.
The 2023 Central Pacific hurricane season outlook announcement on Thursday predicted that four to seven tropical cyclones — tropical depressions, storms and hurricanes — would form or move into the Central Pacific this season. Although the outlook is not a forecast of hurricane landfalls in Hawai’i, it does reflect the latest data to help people prepare for what may be in store.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center estimates that it will be a near- to above-normal hurricane season. Part of this is because the Pacific Ocean basin may transition from three consecutive years of La Nina into an El Nino event. During El Nino events, sea surface temperatures become warmer than normal. And there is a higher risk that storms will form closer to and move toward the islands.
Every hurricane season, it is important to focus on potential impacts regardless of storm size or category because all hurricanes and tropical storms can bring life-threatening storm surge, inland flooding and damaging winds.
From 1950 through 2021, about 30 hurricanes have passed within 200 nautical miles of the Big Island, Maui, Oahu or Kauai, according to NOAA. Although most do not make landfall, Hurricane Lane in 2018 was an example of damage that comes when storms get close to the state. Lane had record-setting rainfall, one fatality and more than $8 million dollars in damages despite staying offshore.
To prepare for hurricane season and natural disasters in general, come up with a plan.
First, find out if you’re in a flood zone or susceptible to storm surge by visiting msc.fema.gov/portal/home and www.nhc.noaa.gov/nationalsurge/. Then, learn what to do before, during and after a storm.
Rely on credible information from NOAA and news outlets that rely on NOAA. Sign up for Maui Emergency Management Agency emergency alerts at www.mauicounty.gov/MEMA.
Know the difference between a “watch” and a “warning.”
A hurricane watch means hurricane conditions are possible, with tropical-storm-force winds beginning within the next 48 hours. Prepare by boarding up windows and moving loose items indoors, and make sure your emergency kit is ready.
A hurricane warning means hurricane conditions are expected, with tropical-storm-force winds beginning within 36 hours. Seek shelter in a sturdy structure or evacuate if ordered.
If you are separated from family — have a plan ahead of time. Prepare for transporting pets by having leashes and carriers nearby. Get your pet chipped for easy ID in case it is lost.
A go kit or go bag packed with essentials can make a significant difference. Basic emergency supply kits include:
• Water and nonperishable food for several days.
• Extra cellphone battery; wall charger and vehicle adapter/charger.
• Battery-powered or hand-crank radio that can receive NOAA weather radio tone alerts, as well as extra batteries.
• First-aid kit.
• Whistle to signal for help.
• Dust masks to filter contaminated air.
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter in place.
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation.
• Nonsparking wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.
• Can opener.
• Prescription medications and glasses.
• Cash.
• Change of clothing.
• Food, medicine and supplies for children and pets.
Guam and Hawai’i are both remote and fragile during emergencies. Let’s take action while we are able, and prepare now for disasters than can happen around the year.
* “Our County,” a column from Maui County Mayor Richard Bissen and his administration, discusses county issues and activities of county government. It alternates on Saturdays with “Council’s 3 Minutes.”
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