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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR082218_230pmUpdate04, BERNARDP. CARVALHO JR.WALLACE G. REZENTES JR. Mayor Managing Director COUNTY OF KAUA'I KAUA'I EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY News Release For Immediate Release: August 22, 2018 ELTON LISHIO, ADMINISTRATOR Tel (808) 241-1800 Fax (808) 241-1860 2:30 p.m., August 22, Update on Hurricane Lane: County announces islandwide updates LIHU`E — As Hurricane Lane continues to move towards Kaua'i, the Kaua'i Emergency Management Agency's (KEMA) Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been actively engaged with state, county, federal and non -governmental partners. Officials are announcing the following updates. CURRENT WEATHER NOTICE A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for Kaua'i County as of 5 a.m. Wednesday. A Hurricane Watch is typically issued 48 hours before the possible onset of hurricane conditions. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the latest forecast anticipates that Kauai County could feel effects of the storm — such as heavy rain, high surf, and strong winds — as early as Thursday night. NWS reports that as of 11 a.m. Wednesday, Hurricane Lane continues to move west-northwest at 8 mph. A gradual turn toward the northwest is expected today followed by a more northward motion on Thursday, according to the NWS. A High Surf Warning for all south -facing shores of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau will be in effect from 6 a.m. Thursday through 6 p.m. Friday. The warning may be extended or modified as conditions develop. Beachgoers are urged to heed all posted warnings and advisories, and stay completely out of the water on all south -facing shores. Spectators are also advised to use extreme caution, as large breaking waves could make it dangerous for those standing along the shoreline. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Kauai through Friday night. 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. SCHOOLS The state Department of Education has announced that all Kauai public schools will be closed on Thursday, Aug. 23, and Friday, Aug. 24. Additionally, all after -school activities and programs including inter -scholastic athletic events have been cancelled statewide for the remainder of this week and will resume on Monday, Aug. 27. Visit the Hawaii State Department of Education (HIDOE) website, http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org, and social media, https://www.facebook.com/HiDOE808 and https:Htwitter.com/HiDOE808, for the latest information on 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. SHELTERS The American Red Cross will open shelters at the Kilauea Gym, Kilauea Elementary School, and the Church of the Pacific in Princeville as of 6 p.m. today, Aug. 22. There are currently no other shelters being opened at this time. However, more shelters may be opened on an as -needed basis. Please do not report to any of the other shelters until an announcement has been made that they are open. To view a map of all open and closed shelters, please visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA. Those who plan to go to a shelter should bring their own food, water, medicine, bedding and any other items they may need while away from home. Persons with special needs should know that shelter staff can only provide basic first aid. Individuals with special needs must bring their caregivers, medications, supplies and equipment to the shelter if they cannot safely shelter at home. Additionally, residents are reminded that hospitals and emergency rooms are not available for shelter. They are only available for people with emergencies or critical health needs. WAINIHA-HA`ENA VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS With the possibility of tropical storm force winds and heavy rains potentially impacting the isolated Wainiha-Ha'ena community, officials are advising all Wainiha-Ha'ena residents to evacuate the area by Thursday, Aug. 23. Those who chose to shelter in place should be prepared with at least 14 days of provisions and medications. Please refer to other sections in this news release for relevant information about emergency preparedness and current updates. CONVOY SCHEDULE FOR KOH10 HIGHWAY IN WAINIHA The state Department of Transportation has announced that the convoy on Kuhio Highway, for limited local access to the Wainiha-HA'ena area, will run on a Sunday/Holiday schedule on Wednesday, Aug. 22, and Thursday, Aug. 23. In preparation for the storm, Kuhio Highway will close completely after the 11 p.m. convoy on Thursday, Aug. 23, and will reopen weather permitting. A list of the Sunday/Holiday schedule can be found on the county's "Flood Recovery" page at www.kauai.gov. CHANGE TO WAINIHA-HA`ENA TRASH PICK-UP SERVICES Solid Waste officials have announced that refuse collection for the Wainiha-Ha'ena area will occur on Thursday, Aug. 23, instead of the normally scheduled Friday pick-up. Residents are asked to place bagged trash in their carts tonight, Aug. 22. Bagged trash can also be placed at curbside if residents do not have carts. COUNTY AND STATE OFFICE CLOSURES All non -essential county and state offices will be closed on Thursday, Aug. 23 and Friday, Aug. 24. RECYCLING UPDATES HI-5 Redemption Centers operated by Kauai Community Recycling Services will be closed for storm preparation starting Thursday, Aug. 23. Impacted sites are: Kapa`a, in Arzadon industrial; Koloa, next to the fire station, Kilauea, behind Kauai Mini Golf; and Kekaha, across from the old mill. Services will resume as conditions improve. The public is encouraged to hold on to their non- HI-5 recyclables at this time, as the Kauai Recycles drop bins are filling up faster than the contractor can service them. The mobile eWaste collection events that were scheduled for Hanapepe and Kilauea this weekend are cancelled. For more information or questions, call 241-4841. PARK CLOSURES The following federal, state, and county park closures have been announced: - Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is closed. - 1­15`ena State Park remains closed due to the April flood. - N5pali Coast State Wilderness Park remains closed due to the April flood. - Black Pot Beach Park remains closed due to the April flood. SUNSHINE MARKET CLOSURES The following Sunshine Market locations will be closed this week: - Thursday, Aug. 23: Kilauea and Hanapepe - Friday, Aug. 24: Vidinha Stadium in Uhu`e - Saturday, Aug. 25: Kekaha Neighborhood Center County officials continue to urge all residents and visitors to get prepared and stay informed. 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. Please see "Shelter" section above for more information. • Visitor Information — Visitors are urged to confirm flight arrangements with their airlines prior to heading to the airport. Visitors should review the Hawaii Tourism Authority's travel safety tips at http://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. For more information on preparing for a power outage, visit http://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. • 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. o Kaua`i Emergency Management Agency — www.kauai.gov/kema o NOAA Central Pacific Hurricane Center — http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/cphc/ o National Weather Service — www.weather.gov/hawaii, or automated weather line at 245-6001. o Blackboard Connect (The county's free emergency notification service) — Sign up at www.kauai.gov/kema, or call the KEMA at 241-1800.