Hurricane Preparedness

Hurricane season in Hawaii is June 1 through November 30. Learn how to stay prepared with the information provided below.

• Develop a family plan
• Create a Disaster Supply Kit
• Have a place to go
• Secure your home
• Make a pet plan
• Hawaii County emergency shelter locations
• American Red Cross hurricane tips

Hawaii County Emergency Shelter Locations

During an emergency or threat of disaster Civil Defense information will be broadcast over local radio and TV stations. When an evacuation is necessary these broadcasts may include information about the location of Public Emergency Shelters in affected areas. More information, including the location of shelters designated for people with special health needs, and facilities for household pets may be broadcast, as well as when volunteers will be available to open shelters and direct evacuees to the appropriate areas. Since public shelters do not stock supplies, please bring provisions from your emergency supply kit at home. You will need at least two days worth of food, water, and personal items for yourself, family members, and household pets. Please review this statewide list of Emergency Public Shelters and note the two or three closest to your home.

Facilities designated to serve as Special Needs Shelters provide limited support to persons with special health needs. Special health needs evacuees must either be capable of taking care of their own needs or be accompanied by a caregiver. Pet Friendly Shelters are co-located with some general population shelters. Household pets entering a pet friendly shelter must be caged for safety and owners should provide water and food for their pets.

Legend:

S = Special Needs + General Population
P = Pet Friendly + General Population
S/P = Special Needs + Pet Friendly + General Population.

American Red Cross Hurricane Tips

With Hurricane season here and the potential for Hurricane Felicia to affect our state, the American Red Cross in Hawaii emphasizes the need for everyone to be prepared. The American Red Cross recommends three simple actions anyone should take to “Be Red Cross Ready” for disasters and other emergencies: 1) Get a kit, 2) Make a plan and 3) Be informed. These three steps will help protect your family, strengthen our community, and potentially save yourself time and money. One critical reminder to everyone: if you evacuate to a hurricane evacuation shelter, there most likely will be no amenities. This means no food service, established sleeping areas or supplies. Hurricane Evacuation shelters simply provide safe shelter to ride out the storm and may be limited to standing room only. It is critical that everyone take the time now to follow these steps to prepare.

Assemble a Family Disaster Supplies Kit
When a disaster strikes your community, you may not have access to food, water, electricity and other essential supplies for days, or even weeks. A disaster supplies kit should include non-perishable food and bottled water (one gallon per person per day) for a minimum of 5-7 days, non-electric can opener, a flashlight and extra batteries, a first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, tools, extra clothing and bedding, prescription and non-prescription medications, pet supplies, cash, sanitary supplies, copies of important papers, contact information, maps and other special items for infants, pets, and elderly or disabled family members. This kit should be in an easy-to move container so that it can be used at home or taken with you in the event you must evacuate.

Prepare a Personal Evacuation Plan
Disasters often strike quickly and without warning and, when they do, often leave a wake of chaos and emotional trauma. People should determine their actions before a disaster occurs. Planning ahead of time makes it easier to make decisions in a potentially stressful time and helps to know what to do if separated from others in the household. Families can – and do – cope with disaster by preparing in advance and working together as a team. They do this by deciding in advance what they will do when their daily routines are disrupted by an emergency. Planning what each person is to do, where each will go, and how they will get there makes a big difference. Identify ahead of time where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose two places—one place within your neighborhood and one outside of your neighborhood, maybe a friend’s home. If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. In case you have to evacuate to a Red Cross shelter, be sure to bring your family disaster supplies kit along with bedding. Be sure to also make advance preparations for your pets and people with special health needs like children, frail, elderly and people with disabilities.

Be Informed
It is important that people learn about what disasters or emergencies may occur where they live, work and play. Learning vital lifesaving skills such as First Aid and CPR/AED can help people take care of their loved ones after a disaster occurs and can equip them to become resources to their communities. We also encourage people who are interested in helping out during a disaster to take free disaster training from the Red Cross and find out how you can help with sheltering, mass feeding, health services, crisis counseling and client casework.

More details are available at www.hawaiiredcross.org. A variety of ready-made disaster kits are available for purchase and a schedule of lifesaving classes are online. Getting prepared doesn’t have to be expensive or time consuming. Preparing for the unexpected has clear personal benefits, and when everyone prepares, the benefits extend to our entire community. We hope you will do your part by taking three simple steps to “Be Red Cross Ready” during this Hurricane Season.