OED encourages businesses and agricultural producers to prepare for Hurricane Lowell
LĪHUʻE –Office of Economic Development (OED) is encouraging businesses, farmers, ranchers, food producers, and other commercial operators to take steps now to prepare for potential impacts from Hurricane Lowell.
Businesses and agricultural operations are encouraged to review emergency plans, secure property and equipment, prepare for possible disruptions to utilities and transportation, and ensure employees have adequate time to prepare their own households.
“Kauai is a close-knit community, and when severe weather threatens our island, preparing early helps all of us,” said Nalani Brun, Director of the Office of Economic Development. “For our farmers, ranchers, and businesses, there are things that take time—moving equipment, securing crops and livestock, protecting inventory, and making sure employees have time to prepare their own ‘ohana. We encourage everyone to use the time we have now, look out for one another, and take the steps you can to protect your people and your livelihood.”
Agriculture Producers
Farmers, ranchers, nurseries, landscapers, and other agricultural operations are encouraged to:
- Secure or move equipment, tools, irrigation components, tanks, supplies, and other loose materials.
- Move tractors, vehicles, equipment, feed, fertilizer, pesticides, fuel, and other important supplies away from flood-prone or low-lying areas where possible.
- Check drainage areas, culverts, ditches, and waterways and safely remove debris that could obstruct water flow.
- Secure green waste, compost, mulch, nursery stock, shade structures, temporary structures, and other materials vulnerable to wind or flooding.
- Assess livestock needs and ensure animals have access to secure areas and adequate feed, water, and necessary supplies.
- Consider harvesting market-ready crops when practical and protect harvested crops, seed, feed, and other materials from rain and floodwater.
- Secure fencing, gates, greenhouses, hoop houses, farm stands, and other agricultural structures.
- Photograph crops, livestock, equipment, structures, irrigation systems, and other farm assets to document pre-impact conditions. Keep records of storm-related damage and expenses that may later be needed for insurance or disaster assistance.
Producers should prioritize personal safety and avoid undertaking preparations that cannot be completed safely.
Food and Agricultural Businesses
Food manufacturers, processors, distributors, retailers, restaurants, and other food and agricultural businesses should prepare for possible interruptions to electricity, refrigeration, transportation, deliveries, and normal operations.
Businesses are encouraged to review plans for maintaining safe food temperatures during power outages, check backup power systems where available, protect food and supplies from potential water damage, and consider how disruptions could affect perishable inventory.
Businesses that supply food, agricultural inputs, fuel, equipment, or other essential goods should also consider communicating with suppliers and customers about contingency plans and potential disruptions.
Retail, hospitality, and other businesses
Retailers, restaurants, hotels, visitor-industry businesses, offices, contractors, and other commercial operations are encouraged to:
- Secure outdoor furniture, signage, displays, equipment, construction materials, waste containers, and other loose objects.
- Review emergency and business continuity plans with employees.
- Establish how employees will receive information about closures, schedule changes, or other operational decisions.
- Back up important business records and make sure insurance, payroll, vendor, and employee information is accessible.
- Protect computers, point-of-sale systems, inventory, records, and other valuable assets from potential water damage.
- Check generators and backup power systems and ensure they can be operated safely.
- Photograph facilities, inventory, equipment, and other business assets to document pre-impact conditions.
- Communicate changes in hours or operations with customers and guests as appropriate.
Employers are encouraged to plan ahead and provide employees with adequate time to prepare their own homes and families. Employee and public safety should remain the priority when making decisions about staffing and business operations.
Stay informed through official sources
OED encourages businesses and agricultural producers to begin reasonable preparedness activities early and not wait until conditions deteriorate to secure property or move equipment.
The following resources are available for business preparedness:
Businesses and agriculture producers are encouraged to continue monitoring official County communications and sign up for Everbridge, the County of Kauai’s emergency notification service, to receive important emergency alerts and updates. To sign up, visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA and click “Notification Services”, text KAUAIEMA to 888777, or call the Kauai Emergency Management Agency at 808-241-1800.
To stay updated, tune to local media broadcast channels for the most current information. The following resources are available for emergency preparedness:
- Kauai Emergency Management Agency – kauai.gov/KEMA
- National Weather Service – weather.gov/hfo or automated weather line at 808-245-6001
- Kauai Department of Water – kauaiwater.org or 808-241-5400
- Road and closure conditions – 808-241-1725
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