County to close parks and campgrounds, open refuge areas at 5 p.m. today ahead of Hurricane Lowell
LĪHUʻE – The County of Kauaʻi will close all County parks and campgrounds and open five refuge areas beginning at 5 p.m. today, Sunday, Sept. 6, in anticipation of impacts from Hurricane Lowell.
“Closing our parks and opening refuge areas is not a decision we make lightly, but it is the right call with a storm of this strength still turning toward us,” said Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami. “Our island has faced storms before, and time and again our people have shown what it means to take care of one another. If you live along the coast or in a low-lying area, make your plan now and be ready to move. The safest place to ride this out is with family or friends in a sound home away from streams or shorelines, so pick up the phone and make that call today. Refuge areas are there for those who truly have nowhere else to go.”
Residents in coastal, low-lying, and flood-prone areas should be prepared to evacuate and should not wait for conditions to deteriorate before moving. Roadways may become impassable due to flooding, debris, and downed power lines once the storm arrives.
“Refuge areas are an evacuation option of last resort, not a first stop,” said Kauaʻi Emergency Management Agency Administrator Elton Ushio. “If your home is sound, hardened, and located outside of flood and storm-surge areas, sheltering in place is often the safer option. For those who do need to go, please travel now while conditions are still safe. These facilities are not stocked, so bring your own go kit with food, water, medications, bedding, and anything else your family will need to be self-sufficient for several days.”
The County, in partnership with the American Red Cross, will open the following potential refuge areas ahead of Hurricane Lowell at 5 p.m.:
- Kīlauea Neighborhood Center, located at 2460 Keneke Street in Kīlauea;
- Kapaʻa Middle School, located at 4867 Olohena Road in Kapaʻa;
- Kauaʻi High School Gym, located at 3577 Lala Road in Līhuʻe;
- Kalāheo Neighborhood Center, located at 4480 Papalina Road in Kalāheo;
- Waimea Canyon Middle School, located at 9555 Huakai Road in Waimea.
Refuge areas do not provide food, water, bedding, medications, personal caregivers, or medical staff, and anyone going to a refuge area should bring their own disaster supply “go kit.” Household pets are welcome at all designated facilities, though owners must bring their own pet food, water, and crates or cages.
The public is reminded that refuge areas are evacuation options of last resort. In many cases, sheltering in place may be a good option, particularly if the home or structure is sound or hardened and located outside hazardous flood and storm-surge areas.
KEMA released an updated Potential Refuge Area List in May, available online at www.kauai.gov/KEMA, which identifies facilities that may be considered for use during emergencies. Not every facility on the list will be opened during every emergency, and additional public or private facilities may also be activated depending on incident and operational needs. If refuge areas are activated for this event, KEMA will issue news releases, update the County website and its Refuge Area Status Page, and, as appropriate, send notifications through the County’s Everbridge emergency notification system.
Residents and visitors are strongly encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications. To register, please visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA and click on “Notification Services.”
For the latest storm information and County updates, visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA.
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