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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR082318_7pmupdate04, 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 23, 2018 ELTON LISHIO, ADMINISTRATOR Tel (808) 241-1800 Fax (808) 241-1860 7:15 p.m., August 23, Update on Hurricane Lane: Kauai remains under Hurricane Watch LIHU`E — Officials announce that Kaua'i County remains in a Hurricane Watch, Thursday. A Hurricane Watch was issued at 5 a.m. Wednesday and means that hurricane conditions are possible within 48 hours. Officials are announcing the following updates. CURRENT WEATHER NOTICE A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for Kauai County. 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 Friday. NWS reports that as of 5 p.m. Thursday, Hurricane Lane is moving toward the north-northwest near 6 mph. A slow general northward motion is expected to continue through Friday, with a turn toward the west expected Saturday and Sunday, according to NWS. A High Surf Warning for all south -facing shores of Kauai and Ni'ihau remains in effect 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 Saturday morning. 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. Residents and visitors in low-lying coastal areas should be aware of the threat of coastal inundation due to elevated surf and possible storm surge as a result of Hurricane Lane. This may require a need for evacuation at little to no advanced notice. If you are located in a low-lying coastal area, officials advise that you make an action plan and consider evacuating to a shelter. Additional shelters will be announced if and when they are deemed necessary to open. SHELTERS American Red Cross shelters are currently open at the Kilauea Gym, Kilauea Elementary School, and the Church of the Pacific in Princeville. 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. Household pets must be brought and kept in a pet carrier or cage at all shelter locations. Owners must provide their own water, food and supplies for their pets, and will be expected to care for their own animals. WAINIHA-HA`ENA WATER SHUTDOWN A water service shutdown remains in place until further notice for customers located along a portion of Kuhio Highway in Ha`ena, from Manoa Stream to Ke`e Beach, including all private connecting roads. According to the Department of Water, water service has been turned off in the selected area to prevent possible damage to the service system in preparation for the expected severe weather conditions. WATER CONSERVATION NOTICE REMINDER An islandwide water conservation notice remains in effect until further notice for all customers, as a precautionary measure. Customers are asked to limit water use to essential uses only, such as for drinking, cooking, and sanitation purposes. 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 choose 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 KUHIO 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 Thursday, Aug. 23. In preparation for the storm, Kuhio Highway, between Waikoko and Wainiha, will close completely after the 11 p.m. convoy on Thursday, Aug. 23, and will reopen weather permitting. The Sunday/Holiday convoy schedule can be found on the county's "Flood Recovery" page at www.kauai.gov. 24. WAINIHA-HA`ENA TRASH PICKUP SERVICES The temporary transfer station at Kepuhi Point in Wainiha will be closed on Friday, Aug. SCHOOLS All schools will remain closed on 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. USPS INFO The U.S. Postal Service announced that there will be no mail delivery and all post offices will be closed on Friday, Aug. 24. Additionally, there will be no mail pickup from the blue USPS mail boxes. Officials are closely monitoring the storm and will make additional decisions regarding adjustments to postal operations as needed. COUNTY AND STATE OFFICE CLOSURES All non -essential county and state offices will remain closed on Friday, Aug. 24. KAUA`I BUS SCHEDULE All bus services and routes will be closed on Friday, Aug. 24. RECYCLING UPDATES HI-5 Redemption Centers operated by Kauai Community Recycling Services and Reynolds Recycling will be closed on Friday, Aug. 24. 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. REFUSE TRANSFER STATIONS AND COLLECTION SERVICES There will be no residential refuse collection service on Friday, Aug. 24. All refuse transfer stations, including the Kekaha Landfill, will be open on Friday, Aug. 24, weather permitting. An announcement will be made if this information changes. PARK CLOSURES The following federal, state, and county park closures have been announced: - Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is closed. - H5'ena State Park remains closed due to the April flood. - Napali Coast State Wilderness Park remains closed due to the April flood. - Black Pot Beach Park remains closed due to the April flood. - All camping in Kauai state parks are being cancelled, and all state parks are closed starting Thursday, Aug. 23. - All Kauai DOFAW lands, including forest reserves, natural area reserves, game management areas, wildlife sanctuaries, public hunting areas and Na Ala Hele trails have been closed as of Thursday, Aug. 23. - County Department of Parks and Recreation advises that all county parks will close upon issuance of a Hurricane- or Tropical Storm Warning. Closures will be announced. BEACHES Ocean Safety officials announced that the H5'ena and Ke`e lifeguard towers are closed today, Aug. 23, and until further notice. SUNSHINE MARKET CLOSURES The following Sunshine Market locations will be closed this week: - Friday, Aug. 24: Vidinha Stadium in Lihu`e - Saturday, Aug. 25: Kekaha Neighborhood Center HOW TO PREPARE 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.traveismarthawaii.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.