City reminds O‘ahu residents to stay prepared as hurricane season continues
HONOLULU — After two significant tropical weather threats in just a few weeks, the City and County of Honolulu is reminding Oʻahu residents that hurricane season is far from over and encouraging everyone to remain prepared in the weeks and months ahead.
Tropical Storm Lala dealt Oʻahu a significant blow in August, bringing widespread power outages, flooding, downed trees, and other impacts across the island. This week, Oʻahu was fortunate to avoid the worst of Hurricane Lowell, while other parts of the state are dealing with hurricane damage.
The City recognizes that after days of forecasts, warnings, preparations, and disruptions surrounding multiple storms, storm fatigue can easily set in. It is understandable for people to grow tired of hearing about another system in the Pacific or another reminder to prepare. But with several disturbances currently being monitored and hurricane season continuing through November, the City is asking residents not to tune out.
“We understand the storm fatigue. People have been paying attention, preparing their homes, changing plans and dealing with a lot of uncertainty over the past several weeks,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “But this is exactly when we cannot become complacent. Lala hit Oʻahu hard. We were very fortunate with Lowell, but our neighbors on other islands were not as fortunate. Hurricane season is not over, and we still have a couple of months to go.”
The message is not intended to create alarm. Rather, the City is encouraging residents to use the time between storms to prepare at their own pace, replenish supplies, and make sure their households are ready if another system threatens the islands.
“This is not about frightening anybody or telling people to run out and buy everything in sight,” Mayor Blangiardi said. “It is about being ready. Take a look at what you used during Lala or Lowell and replace it. Make sure you have what your family needs. Pay attention when another storm develops. We have seen how quickly things can change, and a little preparation now can make a tremendous difference later.”
Use the time between storms
Residents should use periods of good weather to review and replenish emergency supplies, especially anything used during Lala or in preparation for Lowell.
Households should have enough food, water, medications, and other essential supplies to be self-sufficient following a major storm. Residents should make sure flashlights and backup batteries work, portable power banks are charged, and important documents are protected and easy to access.
Families should also talk about what they would do if their home became unsafe, how they would communicate if cellular service or power were disrupted, and how they would assist kūpuna, family members, neighbors, and pets who may need additional help.
Preparation does not have to happen all at once. Adding a few supplies during regular shopping trips, replacing batteries or medications as needed, and reviewing a family emergency plan now can make preparing for the next storm much easier.
Hurricane season continues through November
The Central Pacific hurricane season continues through November 30. Several areas of disturbed weather are currently being monitored across the Pacific, a reminder that Lowell’s departure does not mark the end of the season.
The City continues to monitor weather conditions and will coordinate preparations with state and federal partners if another system threatens Oʻahu.
Residents should sign up for HNL Alert at HNLAlert.gov to receive emergency notifications and customize the alerts they want.
Residents who want only urgent emergency notifications can text HNLALERT to 888-777.
“We are asking people to find the right balance,” Mayor Blangiardi said. “Get back to your normal routine and enjoy the good weather, but don’t tune out. Stay aware, stay prepared, and remember that the best time to get ready for the next storm is before there is one headed our way.”
—PAU—
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