Hawaii County will open four shelters this evening in anticipation of the arrival of Nolo, which is now a tropical storm but expected to be a powerful hurricane as it closes in on the Big Island later this week.
Hawaii island is under a hurricane watch and a flood watch. Maui County is also under a flood watch.
The shelters, which are scheduled to open at 6 p.m., are at:
>> Yano Hall, 82-6156 Mamalahoa Highway, Captain Cook.
>> Naalehu Elementary School gym, 95-5545 Mamalahoa Highway.
>> Robert N. Herkes Gym, 96-1219 Kamani St., Pahala.
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>> Keaau Armory, 16-512 Volcano Road.
County officials said anyone who plans to go to a shelter should bring their own food, water, and medicine. Shelters are pet friendly but pet owners should bring their own carrier.
For Naalehu residents looking to shelter in Pahala, transportation will be provided from Naalehu Elementary at 6 p.m., officials said.
“We all know how easily Highway 11 can become flooded and isolate communities in Kau,” Mayor Kimo Alameda said in a news release. “Because of the possibility of hurricane force winds, the shelter at the Robert N. Herkes Gym in Pahala is strongly encouraged for Kau residents. If you are in Naalehu, and plan to use the shelter in Pahala, please do so before flooding starts.”
Nolo is expected to be a Category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 115 mph and higher gusts Saturday as it passes just south or over the Big Island, bringing the threat of catastrophic flooding, life-threatening storm surge of up to 3 feet, and damaging hurricane-strength winds through Saturday.
Heavy rain is expected to arrive Thursday and Friday ahead of the storm.
“We want to make sure everybody is safe, so if your home flooded before, or is at risk, consider moving to safer shelter before the full force of the storm hits,” Alameda said. “Because the ground remains saturated, flooding may happen rapidly, and our crews and contractors have been working hard to make sure all drainage areas are open prior to the storm. If you have not done so already, use this time to prepare — remove debris around your home that could block drainage areas, get your emergency kit ready, and check on your neighbors, especially kupuna, who may need assistance.”
County officials provided the following safety tips:
>> Know the areas that are prone to flooding, especially near your home, and use extra caution around them. Heavy rain uphill from your location can cause flooding, even if it’s not raining where you are.
>> Be prepared for road closures and extended power outages.
>> Never try to cross moving water, on foot or in a vehicle: “Turn around, don’t drown.”
Maui County is also expected to get heavy rain from Nolo and officials are urging residents to prepare now.
“We are closely monitoring this latest tropical system, and our emergency management teams are preparing for the possibility of impacts to Maui County,” Mayor Richard Bissen said in a news release. “While it is still too early to know exactly what conditions we may see, now is the time for residents and visitors to take simple steps to be prepared. Please monitor official weather updates, make sure you have enough food, water and medications for several days, secure loose items around your property, and know where you would go if you are asked to evacuate. Being prepared before a storm approaches helps keep our community safer and allows our first responders to focus on those who need help most.”
Residents are urged to:
>> Review or update your family emergency plan.
>> Stock at least 14 days of food, water, medications and essential items.
>> Secure important documents and know your evacuation zone if you live in a coastal or flood-prone area.
>> Prepare your home by securing outdoor items, protecting windows as needed and planning for extended power outages.
Although the western islands are not currently expected to be hit as hard by Nolo, Honolulu and Kauai County officials say they are monitoring the storm closely and will adjust preparations as conditions warrant. On Kauai, which is still recovering from Hurricane Lowell this month, officials encouraged residents to build or refresh emergency kits, review family plans, and know their evacuation routes. “Preparation is the single most important step in keeping yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbors safe,” they said.
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Sign up for Hawaii County Civil Defense emergency alerts at bit.ly/HCCDAlerts and for MEMA alerts and evacuation notifications at mauicounty.gov/MEMA.