5:55 P.M. UPDATE:
The Kaua'i Police Department is reopening the Hanalei Bridge heading westbound until 6:10 p.m.
At 6:10 p.m., the following bridges will be closed to all traffic:
- Kaumualii Highway at Fort Elizabeth (Russian Fort)
- Kaumualii Highway west of Lele Road junction
- Kaumualii Highway and Waialo Road junction
- Traffic Round-About (Po‘ipu Road)
- Ala Kinoiki Road and Weliweli Road junction
- Nawiliwili Road and Lala Road junction
- Rice Street and Mokoi Street junction
- Kuhio Highway and Kapule Highway junction
- Kuhio Highway and Kamole Road junction
- Kuhio Highway and Hanalei Plantation Road
Following the closure of bridges, County officials and emergency partners request the public to evacuate to available high ground and shelter in place.
The complete list of refuge areas open are:
- Kapa'a High School
- Kapa'a Middle School
- Ele'ele Elementary School
- Kōloa Library
- Kaua'i Community College
- Kalāheo Neighborhood Center
- Kīlauea Elementary School
- Kaua'i Christian Fellowship in Poʻipū
- Waimea High School
Please do not call 911 unless you have an emergency.
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5:00 P.M. UPDATE:
An emergency proclamation has been issued by the Office of the Mayor. To view the emergency proclamation, click here.
Please continue to evacuate if you are in a coastal area or a tsunami inundation zone.
Kaua'i Christian Fellowship in Poʻipū has opened as a refuge area.
Civil Air Patrol has flown over Ha'ena to Kekaha to assist DLNR in evacuating the coastline.
The Kaua'i Police Department has shut down traffic going westbound across the Hanalei Bridge. Eastbound traffic is open for evacuation. There are no other road closures at this time.
Officials advise the public to stay off the road if at all possible.
Please do not call 911 unless you have an emergency.
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4:15 P.M. UPDATE:
Refuge areas have opened.
List of refuge areas open and accepting those evacuating:
- Kapa'a High School
- Kapa'a Middle School
- Ele'ele Elementary School
- Kōloa Library
- Kaua'i Community College
- Kalāheo Neighborhood Center
- Kīlauea Elementary School
- Kaua'i Christian Fellowship in Poʻipū
These refuge area will have parking and restroom facilities available.
If you are bringing a pet, please bring a kennel, food, and water for the animal.
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3:50 P.M. UPDATE:
The Kaua'i Police Department has shut down traffic going westbound across the Hanalei Bridge. Eastbound traffic is open for evacuation.
Officials advise the public to stay off the road if at all possible.
Don’t call 911 unless you have an emergency.
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3:25 P.M. UPDATE:
Tsunami threat to Hawai'i. Due to the Tsunami Warning and wave arrival time of 7:10 p.m., of Hanalei. We are sounding the sirens to alert the public of possible flooding inundation zones.
Officials are advising the public to prepare and complete their evacuations by 5:00 p.m. at the latest. Don’t call 911 unless you have an emergency.
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3:00 P.M. UPDATE:
Tsunami Warning in effect for the State of Hawaii. A series of powerful waves and strong currents may impact coasts near you. You are in danger. Get away from coastal waters.
Officials are advising the public to prepare and complete their evacuations well before the first wave, preferably two hours prior. Estimated first wave of arrival is 7:17 p.m. Don’t call 911 unless you have an emergency.
The Department of Parks and Recreation advise all members of the public to evacuate County campgrounds and beach parks.
Additionally, all County services are closed beginning immediately today, July 29.
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2:25 P.M. UPDATE:
The National Weather Service has updated the magnitude of the earthquake to an 8.7 magnitude earthquake.
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Tsunami Watch issued for Hawai‘i
The National Weather Service has issued a Tsunami Watch for the State of Hawai‘i on Tuesday, July 29, at 1:34 p.m.
A 8.0 magnitude earthquake reported off the east coast of Kamchatka, Russia, may have generated a tsunami that could be destructive to coastal areas even far from the epicenter. An investigation is underway to determine if there is a tsunami threat to Hawai‘i.
If tsunami waves should impact Hawai‘i, the earliest estimated arrival of the first tsunami wave is at 7:17 p.m. today, July 29.
Periodic updates will be issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center until the tsunami threat to Hawai‘i has passed. Residents and visitors are urged to monitor local media for updates.
There are no road closures at this time. For updates on road conditions and closures, please call 808-241-1725. Please do not call Kaua‘i police 911 unless you have an emergency.
For weather updates call the National Weather Service automated weather line at 808-245-6001, or visit the NWS website, www.weather.gov/hawaii.
For more information about the Tsunami Watch, please visit the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center’s website, www.tsunami.gov.
To sign up for the Wireless Emergency Notification System (WENS), the county’s emergency notification service, please visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA and click “WENS.” You may also call the Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800.
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