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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR082418_1140AMUPDATE04, 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 24, 2018 ELTON LISHIO, ADMINISTRATOR Tel (808) 241-1800 Fax (808) 241-1860 11:40 a.m., August 24, Update on Hurricane Lane: Kauai County now in a Tropical Storm Watch LIHU`E — The National Weather Service has cancelled the Hurricane Watch for Kaua'i and Ni'ihau, and has placed the county under a Tropical Storm Watch as of 11 a.m. Friday. A Tropical Storm Watch means tropical storm conditions are possible within 48 hours. "While this is good news for Kaua'i, we are not yet in the clear," said Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. "We continue to encourage residents and visitors to stay vigilant, and to prepare themselves for any weather updates, especially the possibility of heavy rain and dangerous surf." Officials are announcing the following updates. CURRENT WEATHER NOTICE As of 11 a.m. Friday, Kauai County is now under a Tropical Storm Watch. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the latest forecast now anticipates that Kaua'i County could feel tropical storm conditions by Saturday. NWS reports that as 11 a.m. Friday, Hurricane Lane is moving toward the north near 5 mph, and this general motion is expected to continue through Friday night. A turn toward the west is anticipated on Saturday, with an increase in forward speed, according to NWS. A High Surf Warning for all south -facing shores of Kaua'i and Ni'ihau remains in effect through 6 a.m. Saturday. 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 remains in effect for Kauai through Saturday evening. 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. CONVOY TEMPORARILY REOPENED FOR KOHIO HIGHWAY IN WAINIHA The state Department of Transportation announced Friday morning that Kuhio Highway, from Waikoko to Wainiha, has reopened with a Sunday/Holiday convoy schedule until noon today, Friday, Aug. 24. State DOT will make further assessments throughout the day and will continue the convoy if weather and conditions permit. Updates will be announced on the state DOT's website, Twitter and Facebook pages. The highway's Sunday/Holiday convoy schedule can be found on the county's "Flood Recovery" page at www.kauai.gov. WAINIHA-HA`ENA VOLUNTARY EVACUATIONS With the temporary reopening on Kuhio Highway, residents may continue to evacuate the Wainiha-H5'ena area today, Aug. 24, as long as the convoy remains open. 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. 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 H5'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. 24. WAINIHA-HA`ENA TRASH PICKUP SERVICES The temporary transfer station at Kepuhi Point in Wainiha is closed today, Friday, Aug. SCHOOLS All schools will remain closed today, 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://twitter.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 are closed today, 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 today, 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 today, 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 today, Friday, Aug. 24. All refuse transfer stations, including the Kekaha Landfill, will remain open as weather permits. However, green waste services at Hanalei and Kapa`a transfer stations are closed today, Friday, Aug. 24, due to muddy conditions. 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 remains 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 state parks remain closed. - All Kauai DOFAW lands, including forest reserves, natural area reserves, game management areas, wildlife sanctuaries, public hunting areas and Na Ala Hele trails remain closed. - County Department of Parks and Recreation advises that all county parks will close upon issuance of a Tropical Storm Warning. Closures will be announced. BEACHES Ocean Safety officials announced that the H5'ena and Ke`e lifeguard towers are closed 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.