Hurricane season starts June 1; KEMA reminds residents to prepare
LĪHUʻE – The hurricane season in the central Pacific region, which includes Hawaiʻi, starts on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), this year’s outlook calls for a 70 percent chance of an above-normal hurricane season for the Central Pacific, with 5 to 13 named storms expected. A normal season typically sees four to five named storms total. The outlook is a general guide to the overall seasonal hurricane activity in the Central Pacific basin and does not predict whether or how many of these systems will affect Hawaiʻi.
Forecasters attribute this year’s elevated outlook largely to the impending El Niño, which is almost guaranteed to develop and is likely to be strong. Drawing on data dating back to 1850, NOAA notes that the current forecast resembles the 2015 season, which produced record-breaking tropical cyclone activity in the Central Pacific.
“This year’s outlook is a clear reminder that we need to be ready,” said Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency (KEMA) Administrator Elton Ushio. “An above-normal season raises the odds, but it only takes one storm to seriously impact our island. We strongly encourage every household, business, and visitor to take time now to build or refresh an emergency kit, review your family plan, and know your evacuation route. Preparation is the single most important step in keeping yourself, your loved ones, and your neighbors safe.”
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 with extra batteries, an extra supply of prescription medicines, important documents in a waterproof container, cash in small bills, and other items specific to individual and family needs, including those of keiki, kūpuna, pets, and individuals with access and functional 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 for hurricane season is available at www.kauai.gov/kema, www.dod.hawaii.gov/hiema, and the Central Pacific Hurricane Center website at www.hurricanes.gov/cphc.
To sign up for the County’s free emergency notification service through Everbridge, please visit www.kauai.gov/kema and click on “Notification Services.”
Those without internet access can have their phone number and other pertinent information added to the County’s Everbridge database by contacting the Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800 or email KEMA@kauai.gov.
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