We are well into the annual hurricane season that began June 1 and will continue through November 30. Earlier this summer Governor Ige sent out a press release and shared that scientists predict 2-5 tropical cyclones during this time frame. Every year I like to share some helpful reminders about how to keep our community safe and prepared for potential storms.
With COVID-19 still spreading on the island there are a few extra precautions to consider when preparing your household for a hurricane. The Center for Disease Control has a number of suggestions to prepare for natural disasters during the pandemic. They suggest opting for grocery delivery instead of risking potential exposure at the store. They also encourage mail order prescriptions from the pharmacy or drive-thru pick ups to limit in-person visits. It is also important to pack a “go kit” in case you have to evacuate your home. Typically this would include important papers identification, cash, medical supplies, extra clothing, food and water, etc. The CDC also recommends to fill your go-kit with personal protection equipment supplies like hand sanitizer, extra face masks, and disinfectant wipes. You can read more about what the CDC reccomends for hurricane preparations during a pandemic at https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/ covid-19/prepare-for- hurricane.html.
The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Emergency Management share a number of things on their website to consider about your home to see if it is safe to shelter in. Homes built after 1994, have been retrofitted to withstand hurricane-force winds, or have protected windows should be safe to shelter where you live. If you live in a tall building, it may be safer to temporarily shelter in hallways and stairwells. The DEM’s website http://www.honolulu.gov/dem is a great resource to learn more about preparing your home to shelter from a hurricane.
While evacuation is a last resort, it is important to stay vigilant when storms come in case you must take shelter elsewhere. There are a total of thirty eight potential Hurricane Refuge Areas on Oahu. When speaking with the State of Hawaii Department of Emergency Management, they explained that shelters will only open depending on where and how much rainfall an area may get. You can keep track of which emergency shelters are going to open by visiting https://cchnl.maps. arcgis.com.
While most of us are safe to shelter-in-place, it is important to know if and when evacuation is necessary. Once a hurricane warning is issued we have less than 36 hours to finish preparations or, if instructed by authorities, evacuate the area. A day and a half can go by quickly, so it is vital to have what you need and a plan set in place before the warning is issued. The HIEMA website dod.hawaii.gov/hiema/ is a great resource to find sample preparation plans, review evacuation maps, and instructions on how to sign up for emergency notifications on your smartphone.
Stay informed, plan, and prepare so that you and your family will be safe this hurricane season! Start packing both your emergency kit and go-kit today. Remember to include a two week supply of the following items:.
Water and non-perishable food for 14 days, one gallon per person, per day
Flashlight
Battery-powered of hand-crank radio
Extra batteries
First aid kit
Medications, inhaler, epipen or other medical equipment
Multi-Purpose tool
Personal hygiene items
Extra clothing
Copies of personal documents
Cell phone with chargers
External battery for electronics
Emergency contact information
Extra cash
Emergency blanket
Maps of the area Tools/Supplies for securing your home
Extra set of car and house keys
Insect repellent and sunscreen
Pet supplies including food and water, vet records/ contacts, litterbox/waste bags, medications, leashes, and collars, etc.
Personal Protection Equipment including face masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes.
As always, please feel free to contact me if you have questions or concerns about any happenings in our community. Call me at (808) 586-9490, email RepMatsumoto@capitol.hawaii.gov, or visit RepMatsumoto.com.