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HomeMy WebLinkAboutNR082418_5pmUPDATE04, 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 5 p.m., August 24, Update on Tropical Storm Lane: Kauai County remains in a Tropical Storm Watch; updates announced LIHU`E — As Kauai County remains in a Tropical Storm Watch, residents are reminded to stay informed and be prepared for any weather impacts through the weekend. Officials are announcing the following updated information. CURRENT WEATHER NOTICE Kauai County remains in a Tropical Storm Watch. According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the latest forecast anticipates that Kauai County could feel tropical storm conditions by Saturday. NWS reports that as 5 p.m. Friday, Tropical Storm Lane is now moving toward the northwest near 3 mph and this motion is expected to become more westerly with an increase in forward speed over the next couple of days. On the forecast track, the center of Lane will pass south of Kauai on Saturday, according to NWS. A High Surf Warning for Kauai and Niihau has been cancelled, and a High Surf Advisory is now in effect for all south- and east -facing shores until 6 a.m. Saturday. The advisory may be modified as conditions develop. Beachgoers are urged to heed all posted warnings and advisories, and stay out of the water. 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 Tropical Storm 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 Due to Kauai being downgraded to a Tropical Storm Watch, the American Red Cross has consolidated its resources to keep one shelter open at the Kilauea Gym. Shelters at the Kilauea Elementary School and the Church of the Pacific in Princeville are now closed. No other shelters are 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. KUHIO HIGHWAY IN WAINIHA IS CLOSED Although the state Department of Transportation temporarily reopened Kuhio Highway between Waikoko and Wainiha on Friday, the highway is now closed to all traffic due to weather conditions. Updates will be announced. 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. SCHOOLS 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.ora, and social media, https://www.facebook.com/HIDOE808 and 1/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. KAUA`I BUS SCHEDULE All bus services and routes will be closed on Saturday, Aug. 25. RECYCLING UPDATES HI-5 Redemption Centers operated by Kauai Community Recycling Services and Reynolds Recycling will be closed through the weekend. 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. Additionally, if bins are full please do not leave loose debris or waste on the ground. 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 All refuse transfer stations, including the Kekaha Landfill, will remain open as weather permits. Updates will be announced. PARK CLOSURES The following federal, state, and county park closures have been announced: - Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge remains closed. - Ha`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. 25. SUNSHINE MARKET CLOSURES The Sunshine Market at Kekaha Neighborhood Center will be closed on Saturday, Aug. ADDITIONAL 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.