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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.27.18 _6PM UPDATE04, BERNARDP. CARVALHO JR.WALLACE G. REZENTES JR. Mayor Managing Director COUNTY OF KAUA'I KAUA'I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY News Release For Immediate Release: April 27, 2018 ELTON LISHIO, ADMINISTRATOR Tel (808) 241-1800 Fax (808) 241-1860 7:15 P.M. APRIL 27 UPDATE: One -lane emergency route opens Saturday; road still not safe for public access A one -lane emergency access route to Wainiha and H5'ena will open on Saturday, April 28, according to Hawai'i Department of Transportation (HDOT). This one -lane route will be used exclusively for designated emergency responders and coordinated disaster recovery operations. "There is still much work left to be done to repair and stabilize the slopes, roadways and utility poles in this area," said Elton Ushio, Kaua'i Emergency Management Agency administrator. "As crews continue this critical work, our partners with HDOT have determined this area is still too dangerous for public access. We thank the community for their patience and understanding." On Tuesday, May 1, county officials will collect outgoing mail from isolated Wainiha and H5'ena residents at the Hanalei Colony Resort from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Only letter -class mail will be accepted. Officials will have postage stamps for sale at the drop-off site, on a limited basis. The collected mail will be transported by a county official and delivered to the Kilauea Post Office for processing by the U.S. Postal Service. Hawai'i Department of Education (DOE) held its second day of satellite classes at Hanalei Colony Resort for affected Wainiha and H5'ena students, Kindergarten through 12tn grade. The temporary educational site serves 51 students enrolled at Hanalei Elementary, Kapa`a Middle and Kapa'a High Schools. The following information provides the current status updates. County's Point of Contact in Wainiha: Planning Director Michael Dahilig remains the county's point of contact stationed in Wainiha. He is available daily at the Camp Naue fuel distribution point from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Hanalei Colony Resort. Current Road Closures and Repairs: • Kuhio Highway, between Waikoko and Wainiha, remains closed to the public as crews work to clear multiple landslides. HDOT will open a one -lane route for emergency access only, to the Wainiha and H5'ena areas, on Saturday, April 28. • For residents affected by the Kahiliholo Road closure in Kilauea, an emergency access road has been opened for local traffic only through the privately owned Common Ground and Wai Koa Guava Plantation properties. • Lei O Papa Road in Princeville remains closed due to a sinkhole. • Weke Road in the vicinity of Black Pot Beach remains closed. • HDOT continues to inspect bridges in the flood -affected areas on Kauai. No structural issues were found on any of the inspected bridges. An inspection of Wailua River Bridge will be performed when inspectors are able to view the pier structures in Wailua River, according to HDOT. Crews continue to clear debris in the river. For updates on road conditions and closures, please call 241-1725. Please do not call Kauai police 911 unless you have an emergency. Damage to roads, highways, bridges and other infrastructure may be reported to the KEMA EOC at 241-1800. Refuse Collection and Debris Management: Department of Public Works officials will continue to collect limited bulky items and flood -related debris in the Wainiha-H5'ena area. Residents are asked to leave out bulky items and flood -related debris along Kuhio Highway or the county's right of way. A regular schedule for bulky item collection has not yet been set. Household trash will be collected on Monday, April 30, for residents in Wainiha and HA'ena. Residents are asked to bag and secure their trash, and set it out on Sunday evening. If you do not have a county trash bin, please bag and secure your trash by 7 a.m. on Monday. In Hanalei, residents may continue to use the bins staged at Waioli Park to dispose mixed refuse, green waste and metals. These bins will be available until Tuesday, May 1. The Hanalei refuse transfer station, located in Princeville, will allow the disposal of bulky items and continue its extended hours to 5:15 p.m., until Wednesday, May 2. Regular hours and services will be resumed on Thursday, May 3. Regular hours are from 7:15 a.m. to 3:15 p.m., and size restriction for solid waste is three feet in length. A bulky item pickup for residents on Kalihiwai Valley Road has been scheduled for 7 a.m. on Monday, April 30. Residents in the area are asked to place their items out the night prior. Household trash pick-up for residents on Kahiliholo Road has resumed to its normal Tuesday schedule. In the Koloa area, in the vicinity of Waila`au Road and Aloha Place, residents may continue to use the bins available for mixed waste and metals through Tuesday, May 1. The Kekaha Landfill will resume regular hours, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., on Saturday, April 28. Fuel: Approximately 685 gallons of fuel have been distributed since Monday. Fuel will continue to be distributed to residents in Wainiha-H5'ena between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. daily from Camp Naue. Each physical address is allowed five gallons of gasoline per week, and staff will either fill your vehicle or a container. To collect gas, please bring your ID and your own container. Department of Health: • Medical Services at Hanalei Colony Resort: The medical team deployed to H5'ena jointly by the Hawaii Department of Health (DOH), Hawaii Healthcare Emergency Management (HHEM), and KEMA, has been operating out of Hanalei Colony Resort since Friday, April 20. Hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with after-hours care provided for urgent needs. During the first week of clinic services, the team treated 212 residents for skin and wound infections, abrasions and other injuries that are common following flooding events. In addition, they have also seen many patients for chronic health conditions, resupply of prescription medications and tetanus boosters. The medical team will remain in place while the need exists. The team is able to meet the healthcare needs of the community at this time and is not currently in need of medical volunteers. • Stay out of brown water: For the latest updates on brown water advisories, visit DOH's Clean Water Branch website at http://health.hawaii.gov/cwb/. The public is advised to stay out of floodwaters and storm water runoff due to possible overflowing cesspools, sewer, manholes, pesticides, animal fecal matter, dead animals, pathogens, chemicals, and associated flood debris. Do not allow children to play in floodwater areas. Continue to practice good personal hygiene by washing off with soap and clean water and washing hands before handling food. • Practice good sanitation: Wash your hands often with soap and clean water to prevent spreading and contracting any illnesses, especially before handling and preparing food to avoid food contamination. If soap and clean water is unavailable, hand sanitizer may be used instead. • Mosquito concerns: Mosquitoes can and will breed in areas of standing water. Apply mosquito repellent containing DEET to exposed skin and wear protective clothing, such as long sleeves, long pants, and covered shoes. If you're located in an area that wasn't as heavily impacted, get rid of standing water where you can. Department of Health vector control staff will be available to conduct mosquito abatement activities, including surveillance and treatment. Please call Environmental Health Vector Control at 241-3306. • Food safety tips: Make sure to throw away spoiled or unrefrigerated food to prevent foodborne illnesses. Minimize the presence of flies and rodents by disposing of food in covered and sealed containers. • Get rid of items collecting mold: Exposure to mold can have harmful health effects. Mold can begin to grow within 24-48 hours after flooding. Remove standing water as quickly as possible. Take steps to dry out your home and remove wet materials and objects. Items that cannot be cleaned and dried within 24-48 hours should be discarded. Make sure to follow label instructions and wear protective gear (i.e. gloves, face masks, etc.) when using cleaners and disinfectants during the cleanup process. Animals: The Kauai Humane Society will be offering free veterinarian services from 9 to 11 a.m. daily at the Hanalei Colony Resort for the isolated Wainiha and Ha`ena communities. They have also provided pet food to the distribution sites at Camp Naue and the Hanalei Colony Resort. Donation Information: For those sheltering in place, Camp Naue and the Hanalei Colony Resort have been serving as distribution points for food, water and other provisions. Those who wish to provide donations are asked to coordinate with KEMA at 241-1800. Accepted items are being are limited to non -perishables, bottled water, cleaning supplies, hygiene items, diapers, baby food and formula. Donations are currently being accepted at the following locations: • Food Bank of Hawaii — Kaua`i Branch (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) • Kaua`i Independent Food Bank (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Shelters: There are currently no emergency shelters open at this time. If there are any flooding victims needing shelter, please call KEMA at 241-1800. Water Services: Princeville Utilities Co., Inc. continues to ask its customers to conserve water until further notice. Damage Assessments: As part of the FEMA Joint Preliminary Damage Assessment process, FEMA began to assess the homes that were previously reported to the County and will continue its efforts tomorrow. If you are a property owner or renter that suffered damages, please visit www.kauai.gov or call KEMA at 241-1800 for more information or to make your report. Additional Resource Links: • ready.hawaii.gov • Flood Damage Claims FAQ: http://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/flood-damage-claims- frequently-asked-questions-2/ • Repairing Your Flooded Home: http://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/resource-from-the- american-red-cross-repairing-your-flooded-home/ • Hawaii Department of Health advises residents and visitors to avoid or limit exposure to flood waters: http://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/hawaii-department-of-health- advises-residents-and-visitors-to-avoid-or-limit-exposure-to-flood-waters/ FAA Temporary Flight Restriction: The Federal Aviation Agency has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction in the Hanalei and Wainiha area, particularly restricting all aircraft and UAS (drones). Please avoid the area to help ensure the safety our first responders during their ongoing emergency operations. Below photos courtesy of Hawaii State Department of Education: ti Ztt- 74* B