Hurricane season starts June 1, KEMA reminds residents to prepare
LĪHU‘E – The hurricane season in the central Pacific region, which includes Hawai‘i, starts on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
According to the National Weather Service, this year’s outlook calls for one to four tropical cyclones for a below-normal season. The outlook is a general guide to the overall seasonal hurricane activity in the Central Pacific basin. It does not predict whether or how many of these systems will affect Hawai‘i. An average season has four or five storms, including tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes.
“In the event of a Tropical Cyclone, preparedness is crucial for you and your family. If your home is safe to do so, sheltering in place is usually the best option,” said Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) Administrator Elton Ushio. “Although this year’s outlook calls for a below-normal season, it is still important to get your emergency preparedness kits ready sooner rather than later. Here on Kaua‘i, we know it only takes one storm to affect our community adversely.”
He noted that disaster kits should include at least a 14-day supply of non-perishable food, one gallon of water per person per day, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, an extra supply of prescription medicines, and other items specific to individual and family needs.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center (CPHC) continuously monitors weather conditions, employing a network of satellites, land- and ocean-based sensors, and aircraft reconnaissance missions operated by NOAA and its partners. Complex computer modeling and human expertise are the basis for the hurricane center’s track and intensity forecasts that extend out five days.
The CPHC issues a Hurricane or Tropical Storm Watch when hurricane or tropical storm-force winds are possible within 48 hours.
A Hurricane or Tropical Storm Warning is issued when hurricane or tropical storm-force winds are expected within 36 hours.
When either a Watch or a Warning is issued, residents and visitors should listen to their local radio or TV stations and monitor local web/internet media and websites for official weather information and instructions from emergency management entities.
Information on planning and preparation regarding hurricane season is available on the county website, www.kauai.gov/kema, or the Central Pacific Hurricane Center website, http://www.hurricanes.gov/cphc.
To sign up for the county’s free emergency notification service, Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS), please go to the county website, www.kauai.gov/kema, and click “WENS.”
Those without Internet access can have their phone number and other pertinent information added to the county database by calling the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800.
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