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Home My WebLink About7PMUPDATE_4.18.1804, 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 18, 2018 ELTON USHIO, ADMINISTRATOR Tel (808) 241-1800 Fax (808) 241-1860 7 P.M. APRIL 18 UPDATE: Evacuation operations continue Thursday; over 425 people airlifted since Monday The U.S. Army, National Guard, and the County of Kaua'i have ceased air evacuations Wednesday and will resume on Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Over 425 people have been evacuated via air operations from the H5'ena and Wainiha area since Monday. The public is also advised to heed the Flash Flood Watch issued for the County of Kaua'i between 6 a.m. Thursday and 6 p.m. Friday. "I want to thank everyone from our county, state, federal, and non -governmental agencies who worked actively in these evacuation efforts, and the incredible effort from our entire community," said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. "As we anticipate the possibility of heavy rains reaching our island once again, I'd like to remind the public to remain vigilant and stay informed on any updates." The Kaua'i Emergency Management Agency's Emergency Operations Center remains fully activated, coordinating with county, state, federal, and non -governmental partners for response and recovery efforts. The Department of Water (DOW) has lifted the "Do not drink" advisory for all Wainiha and H5'ena customers as of 4 p.m. this afternoon. Officials have completed the required water quality assessments to the affected systems to determine that water services for the Wainiha and HA'ena systems are safe for drinking, cooking and normal consumption. DOW also announces a water service outage for customers located on a portion of Kuhio Highway, from the Manoa Stream to the Limahuli Stream area in H5'ena, until further notice, due to reports of a mainline break in the area. Additionally, DOW crews have reported extensive damages to the mainline on Weke Road that has resulted in a continued water service outage affecting customers on Weke Road, between Pilikoa Street and the Makai-end of Weke Road in Hanalei, until further notice. Hanalei Elementary will remain closed for all students, teachers and staff through this week while the cleanup of damaged facilities continues. Refuse collection will occur for the upper Kahiliholo Road residents on Friday, April 19 so residents are encouraged to leave their carts out. The normal collection schedule will resume next week Tuesday. The Kauai Island Utility Cooperative reports that power has been restored to most members on the North Shore. Crews were able to replace two of three downed poles today in the vicinity of the landslides at Waikoko, and restored service to that area. Crews continue to inspect facilities in areas that have experienced flood damage. If anyone is without service, please call 246-4300 during business hours or 246-8300 after hours. The Hawaii Department of Transportation is in the process of inspecting bridges in the flood -affected areas on Kauai. Kalihiwai Bridge was inspected Wednesday morning and deemed safe by DOT. Landslides continue to block access along Kuhio Highway between Waikoko and Wainiha. A timeline for repairs has not yet been established. For those who wish to shelter in place, Camp Naue and the Hanalei Colony Resort have been serving as distribution points for food, water and other provisions. 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.) • Koloa Neighborhood Center (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) • Princeville Airport (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) Accepted items are limited to: • Non -perishables; • Bottled water; • Cleaning supplies • Hygiene items; • Diapers; • Baby food and formula. The Kilauea Neighborhood Center is closed as a donation site, but the center remains open as a Red Cross shelter. The Department of Public Works is announcing a debris management update for Koloa and Hanalei. In the Koloa area, in the vicinity of Wailaau Road and Aloha Place, the County of Kauai has the following bins for debris management use: • Two bins for general waste; and • Two bins for other debris. For the Hanalei area, residents and businesses may utilize the following services: • Small bins staged at Waioli Park to dispose waste, green waste, and metal; Accepting bulky trash such as beds at the Hanalei refuse transfer station; • The Princeville refuse transfer station is extending its hours to 5:15 p.m. until further notice; and • On Friday, Public Works plans bulky item pick up services to the Hanalei community. The Hanalei refuse transfer station is currently accepting all debris up to three feet in length. Furniture and beds longer than three feet in length are being accepted. The Kapa`a refuse transfer station green waste site is closed today, but other services are still available. All other refuse transfer station green waste sites are fully operational. The water conservation notice from Princeville Utilities Co., Inc. continues for all its customers in Princeville, Anini Vista, Kalihiwai Bay Estates, Kapaka Road and Hanalei Plantation Road. Please be advised that as the pipe empties, it is possible that some air or sediment may enter your home plumbing. When turning on your faucet after water service is restored, please allow your water to run until it is clear to ensure flushing of any air or sediment from your plumbing. Current road closures include the following: • Kuhio Highway at the Wailua River Bridge will have temporary lane closures nightly from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., from Wednesday evening, April 18, through Saturday morning, April 21, in order to remove debris from the river. DOT reports it will not be a continuous closure. All traffic will be routed onto the Bryan Baptiste Memorial (Makai) Bridge, where one lane in each direction of traffic will be maintained. • Kuhio Highway, between Waikoko and Wainiha, due to multiple landslides; • A portion of Kahiliholo Road in Kilauea; • Lei o Papa Road in Princeville due to a sinkhole; and • Weke Road in the vicinity of Black Pot beach remains closed. 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. The Department of Health is advising the following: • Mosquito concerns: please call Environmental Health Vector Control at 241-3306. • Stay out of brown water: Kauai remains under a brown water advisory. Testing is ongoing around the island and results may be available later today. If you must enter brown water along coastlines or in areas where water has pooled due to flooding, take precautions to cover any open wounds or injuries, and be sure to wash and rinse thoroughly with soap and clean water afterwards. • 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. • 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. Additional resource links are now available at ready.hawaii.gov: • Flood Damage Claims FAQ o http://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/flood-damage-claims-frequently-asked-questions-2/ • Repairing Your Flooded Home o 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 o http://dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/hawaii-department-of-health-advises-residents-and- visitors-to-avoid-or-I im it-exposu re -to -flood -waters/ The Federal Aviation Agency has issued a Temporary Flight Restriction for the above marked areas 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.