Disaster Preparedness Guide 2022 by The Garden Island Newspaper

TGI

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

Natural disasters can hit at any time, and with few buffers between our island chain and the larger landmasses surrounding it, Hawaii is at especially high risk for potential destruction. STORY BY Kyle

Galdeira

awaii serves as an ideal place for visitors and kamaaina to live, work and play, and yet the state’s location in the middle of the Pacific — where calm conditions often lull both residents and tourists into a false sense of security — puts the islands in the direct path of nature’s fierce wrath. The warm waters and steady stream of trade winds that create Hawaii’s favorable climate also serve as feeders for tropical storms and hurricanes. Natural disasters can strike at any time, and with few buffers between the islands and surrounding landmasses, Hawaii is at high risk for potential destruction. While the state was fortunate

to emerge relatively unscathed following the catastrophic earthquake and resulting tsunami that ravaged Japan in 2011, the same could not be said for residents of Hilo on Hawaii island’s eastern shore in 1946. An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.8 spawned in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands had generated massive walls of water, which crashed into the unsuspecting town and killed 159 people. Many curious bystanders, including school children, ventured into the exposed reef area, unaware that the receding water would soon give way to a tsunami, which are known to travel at speeds up to 500 miles per hour. Hurricanes are regular threats, as the

large storms churn over warm Pacific waters, growing in size and strength until breaking apart or, in rare cases, making landfall. Hurricane Iwa in November 1982 was a Category 1 storm and was the first hurricane to strike Hawaii since statehood. On Sept. 11, 1992, Hurricane Iniki earned the distinction as the most powerful hurricane to hit Hawaii, as the Category 4 storm passed over Kauai and caused six deaths. Hawaii is a hotbed of volcanic activity, as active volcanoes like Kilauea continuously churn up new land on the Big Island’s southeast coast — especially with the destructive lava flow a few years ago. Earthquakes have resulted in se-

vere damage throughout history, as was the case with a 7.9 magnitude quake in April 1868, which killed 81 people and destroyed over 100 homes in Hawaii. Hawaii’s rains make the islands rich in lush vegetation and agricultural potential, but can also prove hazardous when flash floods result from severe downpours. In October 2004, a flash flood made its way through University of Hawaii at Manoa’s Hamilton Library and damaged 60 homes. Two years later, six weeks of steady rain caused flooding across the state, including on Kauai, where the raging water broke the Ka Loko Dam and resulted in the deaths of seven people.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

How to disaster-proof your digital life. PRESENTED BY HAWAIIAN TELCOM

It pays to make plans and take steps now that will allow you to make it through a natural disaster and keep your digital life intact.

Items to have in your “digital disaster kit”:

Things to do before a natural disaster occurs:

A universal mobile device charger and/or portable battery.

Extra charging cords and charger blocks in good condition.

Take photos of all family members and pets and have them on every family member’s phone. These can help you all locate one another if separated in an emergency. Make scans of critical documents like birth certificates, financial and medical information, and insurance and property documents. Important: Make sure you have access to these digital copies on your mobile phone, and that they are protected from online threats. Back up your important personal data including photos, financial documents and medical records. Use a cloud backup service that securely hosts your files online. If you’re a business owner, create a disaster recovery plan that includes business backup services. Download apps and follow accounts on social media for trusted information in the event of an emergency. Look for verified accounts or accounts linked from official government websites.

3. Extra batteries for critical devices. 4. A car charger for mobile phones. 5.

A handheld radio (solar or crank powered, or with extra batteries).

6. A power strip is good to have in case you don’t have access to multiple outlets in a crowded shelter.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

STORY COURTESY

American Red Cross of Hawaii

s we enter the 2022 hurricane season, the American Red Cross of Hawaii urges everyone to prepare. Regardless of how many storms are predicted, it only takes one impacting our islands to have a powerful effect on the lives of us all. Preparing early is your best defense.

Here are five steps you can take to be prepared:

Make an evacuation plan. Plan multiple routes to local shelters, register family members with special medical needs as required and make plans for pets.

Homeowners insurance doesn’t always cover flooding. It’s important to have protection from the floods associated with hurricanes, tropical storms, heavy rains and other conditions that impact the U.S. For more information on flood insurance, visit the National Flood Insurance Program website at floodsmart.gov.

Build an emergency kit. Include a gallon of water (per person, per day), non-perishable food, a flashlight, battery-powered radio, first-aid kit, medications, supplies for an infant or pets (if applicable), a multipurpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important papers, cell phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, maps of the area and emergency contact information. Because of the pandemic, include a mask for everyone in your household. If you already have a disaster kit, make sure the food and water is still OK to consume and that copies of important documents are up to date.

Download the free Red Cross Emergency app. This app features real-time alerts, open Red Cross shelter locations, and safety advice on hurricanes and other emergencies.

Be informed. Find out how local officials will contact you during a disaster and how you will get important information, such as evacuation orders. You are also invited to follow us for real-time updates on our social media platforms. We’re on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn as @hawaiiredcross.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

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Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

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Hurricane Preparedness Checklist

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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

It only takes STORY COURTESY

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency

one

urricane season officially began June 1, and as the threat of extreme weather grows around the world it is even more vital to prepare now for the next hurricane to protect lives and property in Hawaii today.

m r o t s

A HISTORY OF HURRICANES IN HAWAII This September, Hawaii will mark the 30th anniversary of Hurricane Iniki — one of the most devastating storms to ever hit the state. Iniki made landfall on Kauai as a Category 4 hurricane that caused $3 billion in damage (1992 USD) and took the lives of six people. The anniversary offers a powerful reminder of the severe impact a hurri-

cane can have on the islands. But Iniki wasn’t the only powerful hurricane to affect Hawaii. Ten years before, late in the hurricane season, the eye of Hurricane Iwa passed just northeast of Kauai with its maximum winds pounding right over the top of the island. Estimated damages, including Niihau and Oahu,

topped $250 million (1982 USD). In 2018, Hawaii felt the impact of Hurricane Lane which brought torrential rain, flooding, landslides and strong winds across the islands. The state also had near misses with Hurricane Douglas (the closest to Oahu in modern history) in 2020 and Tropical Storm Linda in 2021.

ARE YOU READY? In a recent Gallup poll, 1 in 3 adults in the U.S. reported they were personally affected by an extreme weather inTHE HAZARDS cident — including hurricanes — over OF HURRICANES the past two years; it is not a matter of if another hurricane will hit the state, but In 1982, Hurricane Iwa’s when. storm surge and huge waves The Hawaii Emergency Managedestroyed beachfront hotels ment Agency (HI-EMA) encourand condominiums and sank ages residents to prepare their boats moored in the harbors. ohana, homes and businessLane, in 2018, was one of the wettest es now. It only takes one storms ever recorded in Hawaii, peaking storm to cause severe at 58 inches of accumulation along Hawaii damage, loss of propisland’s eastern Mauna Loa slopes. erty and even life. Iniki, which means “strong and piercing wind,” lived up to its name reaching sustained speeds of 145 mph with gusts up to 173 mph — strong enough to tear off roofs, snap trees and power poles, and cause damage that took months to repair. Many tropical systems pass by, but just because we don’t have a direct hit, doesn’t mean we can’t be impacted by severe weather, winds, flooding, and landslides causing consequences in our communities to transportation, power, water, and other services.

While HI-EMA plans and prepares for the impacts and cascading effects of a hurricane on critical systems, it is just as important that citizens do everything they can to increase their personal resiliency. “The more resilient we become as a state, the quicker we will be able to bounce back and recover from a disaster,” says Luke Meyers, administrator of HI-EMA. “Every household that has prepared to help itself during a disaster helps the whole state by freeing up resources to help people in the greatest need.” A more resilient Hawaii starts by maintaining a two-week supply of nonperishable food and water, first aid, medication,

sanitary products and other emergency supplies. Bigger steps include purchasing hurricane and/or flood insurance and taking steps to strengthen homes, schools and businesses against the hazards of a hurricane. Other important preparations include making a family plan for how to evacuate if necessary, and how to reconnect and communicate with loved ones. Plans should include how to help those in your life who are most at risk, including elderly family members or neighbors, those with access and functional needs, those who don’t speak English well, and pets. For more information about hurricane preparedness, visit ready.hawaii.gov.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

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Stock your emergency preparedness kit with enough food and water for at least 14 days.

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Food

Store high calorie, shelf stable food in a cool, dry place. Examples include nuts,

ready-to-eat cereals, peanut butter, dried fruit, and canned soups.

Water

General guidance is for people to store one gallon of water per person, per day for at least 14 days.

Medication and Other Medical Supplies

If you have a condition requiring medication, make sure to stock extra with your emergency supplies. If your medication requires refrigeration, consider purchasing a generator.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

STORY COURTESY

AARP Hawaii

lanning and preparation are key to surviving a hurricane or other natural disaster, and preparation is especially important for vulnerable kupuna and those who care for them.

Kupuna and caregivers should know if their home can withstand hurricane-force winds and storm surge or if they will need to evacuate. Is your home in a flood or tsunami zone? If you live in a high-rise, can you shelter in place or do you have to move to a lower or higher floor? If you need to evacuate, figure out ahead of time where you can go to be safe. Friends and family who live in a

safe home may be your best bet. Many areas on Oahu and the neighbor islands do not have nearby evacuation shelters. Put together a team of other family members, friends or neighbors that you can count on in an emergency. Caregivers of people with dementia will need help to keep them calm and make sure they don’t wander away. Make sure they wear an identification bracelet and put labels in garments to help identify them. If your loved one is in a long-term care facility, ask to see its disaster plans. Have a transportation plan, if needed, and a communications plan with a safe meeting place. Every family member should know what to do if you get sep-

arated or if you cannot reach each other by phone. Kupuna should know how or learn how to send and receive text messages. Texts can sometimes get through when voice communications are down. Kupuna may also need extra items in their emergency kits besides a personal first-aid kit, flashlight and battery-powered radio. Everyone needs a two-week supply of food and water, plus medications and other supplies as needed, such as contact lens solutions, glasses, hearing aids and extra batteries, oxygen, walkers and wheelchairs. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also recommend placing important documents in a waterproof bag, including a

personal care plan, contact information for family members, a medication list including the dosage, medication names, pharmacy information and the prescribing doctor. Also include copies of photo IDs and medical insurance cards and power of attorney and/or medical power of attorney documents. Kits should also include cash in case automatic teller machines aren’t working; battery packs and solar chargers for phones; plus face coverings, soap, hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes to prevent the spread of flu, coronavirus and other viruses. For more information, visit aarp.org/ hi or the AARP Hawaii Facebook page.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

It’s Important To Plan STORY COURTESY The

Garden Island staff

hile Kauai hasn’t been hit directly by a major hurricane since Iniki in 1992, the risk remains.

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Hurricane season runs June 1-Nov. 30, and predicted tropical cyclone activity includes tropical depressions, named storms and hurricanes. A near-normal season has four or five tropical cyclones. The Central Pacific Hurricane Center monitors weather conditions, employing a network of satellites, landand ocean-based sensors, and aircraft reconnaissance missions operated by NOAA and its partners. The CPHC issues a hurricane or tropical storm watch when a hurricane or tropical storm-force winds

are possible within 48 hours. A hurricane or tropical storm warning is issued when a hurricane or tropical storm-force winds are expected within 36 hours. “If your home is safe to do so, sheltering in place is usually the best option. However, if you must seek shelter outside of your household, following COVID-19 guidelines is recommended,” says Elton Ushio, Kauai Emergency Management Agency administrator. “We remind the public that it just takes one storm to adversely affect our community, even with-

out a direct hit.” Ushio adds that disaster kits should include at least a 14-day supply of nonperishable food, 1 gallon of water per person per day, a battery-powered radio, flashlight, an extra supply of prescription medicines, and other items specific to individual and family needs. It is also recommended that face masks and hand sanitizers be included in kits. County planning and preparation is available at kauai.gov/kema, or the CPHC website, hurricanes. gov/cphc.

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Summer 20

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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

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HURRICANE SEASON IS COMING

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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

Emergency Kaua`i County Alerts During a water service emergency or severe weather event, stay tuned for important updates via news reports and Kaua`i County Alerts. Water service announcements are also available via Facebook.com/KauaiDOW.

During a storm: Conserve water by limiting water uses to essential needs only. Collect rain water for non-potable water needs. Do not drink rain water.

To sign-up to receive Kaua`i County Alerts visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA, call 808-245-5455 or 808-241-1800.

After a storm: The Department of Water will conduct assessment of water facilities and send out updates for water service advisories, if necessary.

Kaua`i County Alerts is a mass notification service formally serviced by BlackBoard Connect CTY, that sends emergency notifications by phone, text and email. If you have already signed up through Blackboard CTY, you do not need to sign-up for this service again.

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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

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DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

Preparing your

Family and home STORY BY Dennis

Hwang, Faculty, University of Hawaii Sea Grant College Program

here is more risk from hurricanes than residents of Hawaii realize. In 2015, there was a record 15 tropical cyclones in the Central Pacific and all missed the state. There were also two major hurricanes, Lester and Madeline, heading for us in 2016. Who can forget Hurricane Lane coming from the south in 2018, or Hurricane Douglas threatening us from the east in 2020? We cannot always count on potentially devastating systems veering away, especially considering increased hurricane risk. Data indicates that with climate change, hurricanes from the east that typically pass harmlessly to the south of Hawaii island will have more northerly tracts that increase the risk of impacting the island chain.

Prepare your family and house from hurricanes with the free Homeowner’s Handbook to Prepare for Natural Hazards, available online at hawaiiseagrant. org. Free copies of the handbook are available through the Hawaii State Public Library System. Follow the tips for your 14 days of emergency supplies, evacuation/emergency plan, insurance and home retrofit options. Implementing these tips will help you cope with many types of emergencies (hurricane, flood, pandemic or war). Create an emergency/evacuation plan for the triple threat of a hurricane • Waves: Check if you are in storm surge zone with the NOAA storm surge maps at nhc.noaa.gov/nationalsurge. • Water: Check the Hawaii DLNR flood

hazard assessment tool at gis.hawaiinfip.org/fhat. • Wind: Only shelter in place if your house is strong enough (see the shelterin-place table in the handbook). If your house is not wind resistant or suitably located, go to a friend or relative’s place (house/high-rise condo) that can withstand the triple threat. A public shelter is the last resort. Wait for instructions from local emergency management before you evacuate. Nearly all homes can be strengthened • Prevent wood rot and termite damage. • Add hurricane clips to help keep the roof on the wall. Generally, houses built after 1988 on Oahu, after 1990 on Maui and Kauai, and after 1994 in Hawaii County have them. This simple retrofit can be done with the guidance of a licensed architect or

structural engineer and $300 in material costs — or hire a qualified licensed contractor for under $2,000. • Consider protecting your windows with plywood, a storm panel system or impact-resistant windows. No masking tape or opening windows. See the handbook for more than 10 options for window protection. • Create a resilient roof. When components of your roof reach the end of its useful life, use the tips in the handbook to seal the roof against any water infiltration. Keep the roof cool to reduce energy demand and increase the life of roofing components. • If you add solar, make sure of proper attachment to the trusses, consider a battery, and oversize for an electric car to double your savings and provide

emergency power. Strengthen your home continuously over the long-term, regardless of if it is an active hurricane season. It is great investment financially and will protect the most important asset — you and your family.

Safety planning for your

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

Animal companions

urricane season is quickly approaching and it’s best to be prepared before a storm becomes an emergency. That means having a plan for your pets, too! This plan should include knowing where your nearest evacuation shelter is and having an emergency pet kit packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice. All emergency evacuation shelters on the island of Oahu are “pet friendly,” however, none will provide you with supplies needed to care for your pet. Pet owners evacuating to an emergency shelter should bring a crate or carrier that’s large enough to accommodate the pet comfortably, as well as the following items: • 14-day supply of food and water in sealed containers (per pet)

• Leash and collar with owner contact number on collar or ID tag. Be sure that your pet’s microchip is updated with current contact information before the weather report spells trouble! • Bedding, towels and toys • Treats • Food and water bowls; can opener (if needed) • Medications • Grooming supplies • Cleaning supplies for crates and litter boxes • Cat litter in sealed containers with litter pan • Vaccine records, microchip number and other paperwork • Veterinary information

Be Prepared When Disaster Strikes Get breaking news updates with the Star-Advertiser app

STORY COURTESY

Hawaiian Humane Society

• Photographs of your pet • Pet first-aid kit In the event of a disaster, it’s important to listen to radio and television broadcasts to find out if your nearest shelter will be open. Based on the nature of the storm or other circumstances, some shelter locations may be closed and other facilities may be utilized last-minute. Most importantly, be sure to take your pets with you to emergency shelters. Do not leave them behind during emergencies. Remember, if it’s not safe for you, it’s not safe for your pet. As designated first responders, the Hawaiian Humane Society partners with the City & County of Honolulu to assist in disaster planning and response. While not

all shelters will have a Hawaiian Humane Society presence, the nonprofit supports the community and emergency shelters islandwide with volunteers to help those with pets when and where possible. If you’re interested in becoming an EPS (Emergency Pet Sheltering) volunteer and assisting families with pets in times of disaster, please visit hawaiianhumane.org/ Volunteer to apply. Stay tuned to Hawaiian Humane Society’s social channels and website for updates on closures and preparedness tips. For more, visit hawaiianhumane.org/ disaster-ready. For those on neighbor islands, check with your local animal shelters for updates and information pertaining to your particular location.

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Tsunamis can

Big s t a e r h T T also pose

sunamis are not that common, according to the National Weather Service, but when they do hit, they can cause major damage to coastal communities, particularly those in the Pacific. Here in Hawaii, it’s important to be aware of the damage they can cause. Sometimes, there may not be time to wait for an official warning. NWS states a natural tsunami warn-

ing may be the only signal. Natural warnings include a strong or long earthquake, a sudden rise or fall of the ocean, and/or a loud roar from the ocean. Unlike hurricane season, there is no set time frame for tsunamis to hit, but there are things you can do to keep yourself and your family safe in case one does approach the islands.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

BEFORE A TSUNAMI • Make sure you have multiple ways to receive warnings. • Make an emergency plan that includes plans for family communication and evacuation. • Map out evacuation and traveling routes from home, work, and other places you visit often to safe places on high ground or inland and outside the tsunami hazard zone. Plan to evacuate on foot if you can. • Practice walking your escape routes, even in darkness and bad weather. This will ease evacuation during an emergency. • Make a portable emergency kit that’s easy to

grab when on the go. • If you have children in school in a tsunami hazard zone, find out the school’s plans for evacuating and keeping children safe. DURING A TSUNAMI • Stay out of the water and away from beaches and waterways. • Get more information from radio, television or your mobile device. • If officials ask you to evacuate, go quickly to high ground or inland. • In case of an earthquake, protect yourself. Drop, cover and hold on. As soon as you can move safely, go quickly to high ground or inland. • If there is earthquake damage, avoid fallen

power lines and weakened structures. AFTER A TSUNAMI • Stay out of the tsunami hazard zone until officials say it is safe. The cancellation of a warning does not mean the danger has passed. • Stay out of any buildings with damage or water around it until a professional or official says it is safe. • Get updates and safety instructions from radio, television or your mobile device (text or data). • Contact your family and loved ones. Let them know you are OK. Visit weather.gov/safety/ tsunami.

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Hawaiian Electric

t Hawaiian Electric, safety is serious business, especially as the impacts of climate change bring warmer and dryer conditions, intense storms, high tides and flooding events. The company works yearround to provide safe and reliable electric service to its more than 470,000 customers on Oahu, Hawaii island and in Maui County. But power outages resulting from a storm, hurricane or wildfire can occur, and Hawaiian Electric encourages everyone to be prepared. HAVE A PLAN One of the first things you can do for your family is to have an emergency plan. It should include how to communicate with family members and reconnect after an emergency, whether through social media (e.g., Twitter, Facebook posts), a mobile phone text or

even an out-of-state contact. An emergency plan should also cover what to do if you need to evacuate your home, including information on safe shelter options, evacuation routes, and meeting places that are familiar and easy to find. Remember to shut off your electricity at the main breaker or switch if you need to evacuate. Your plans should also include family members with special medical needs, especially if they have a condition requiring refrigerated medication or life support systems. Contact your doctor or pharmacist on how to handle emergencies and power outages, and consider

having a backup generator. Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper generator use. Furthermore, Hawaiian Electric customers with a household member on a life support device can enroll in the company’s Life Support Program. Get the online form at hawaiianelectric.com/billing-andpayment/payment-assistance/life support and submit with a licensed physician’s signature. To help with planning, families can download a copy of Hawaiian Electric’s free Emergency Preparedness Quick Tips and Checklist at hawaiianelectric.

com/stormcenter for additional information on stocking a home survival kit, what first aid supplies to have on hand, as well as evacuation tips. INCLUDE PETS IN YOUR PLANS Research where pet-friendly shelters are in your community. In most cases, household pets entering a pet-friendly shelter must be in a pet carrier, cage or crate with bedding. Owners also need to provide food and water for up to 14 days. Remember to bring a leash, collar with your pet’s identification (a microchip is also good) and safety harness.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS 2022

WI LD F I R E SEASO N In cooperation with Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, Hawaiian Electric added a new section on wildfire prevention and mitigation in its free Handbook for Emergency Preparedness. Wildfires are a year-round hazard driven by a warmer climate, increased episodic drought, spread of invasive fire-prone grasses, and human-caused accidental and intentional ignitions. Preventing and mitigating wildfires starts with awareness of the weather and your surroundings, especially when vegetation starts to become dry. Rain increases the growth of vegetation that will eventually dry out. Fire risk is highest when it’s hot, dry and windy, so these are the times to be mindful of activities that can start a spark, such as open barbecues, campfires and fireworks. Around your home, consider planting drought-tolerant native plants and succulents, which will help reduce maintenance, save water and money, and mitigate fire risk. Develop a yard maintenance schedule that prioritizes mowing grass, trimming low tree branches, and removing dry and dead vegetation and any plant parts that are touching the home structure. Move any combustibles away from the home and don’t store flammable materials under or near your house. Screen your lanai, vents and around the bottom of your home if on a post or pier to prevent embers from entering the structure. If you are asked to evacuate, leave early to give your family the best chance of survival. Early evacuation also helps clear the roads of congestion so firefighters and first responders can do their jobs safely. For more emergency preparedness and safety advice, download Hawaiian Electric’s free Handbook for Emergency Preparedness at hawaiianelectric.com/prepare.

Pack your pet’s medications, medical records, and a favorite toy or blanket to keep your pet calm. Include cleanup supplies for pet waste. If staying home, be sure to bring your pet indoors well ahead of a natural disaster, such as a storm or hurricane, and learn where your pet likes to hide in your home when scared. If you must leave your home, you can quickly find your pet and evacuate faster. WEATHERING THE DISASTER Electrical safety hazards including downed power lines can happen during a lightning storm, hurricane or even a motor vehicle accident. These high-voltage lines can fall on the ground, touch a guardrail or land on a car. Always assume

these lines are energized and dangerous and stay at least 30 feet away — about the length of two midsize sedans — or more from the fallen lines. If a power line falls on your car while you are inside, call 911 and remain where you are until help arrives. If you must get out of the car because of a fire or other hazard, jump free of the car by hopping with both feet together so that your body clears the vehicle before touching ground. Once clear of the car, shuffle at least 30 feet away or more with both feet on the ground. Never step down or simultaneously touch the ground and equipment that is in contact with the power line. Read the do’s and don’ts of downed power line safety at hawaiianelectric.com/downedpowerline.

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efore a disaster strikes, it is vital to know what kinds of foods and drinks you should store at home. Without proper preparation, a fully stocked kitchen could quickly turn into a collection of inedible and undrinkable items. The adequate amount of food and water to have ready in a disaster should last 14 days, including 1 gallon of water per day per person.

WATER There are a number of optimal ways to store drinkable water, including purchasing bottled water and/or filling clean containers with tap water. Other ways also include ordering water storage units online. If you plan to use recycled containers, the Board of Water Supply reminds residents to be sure to clean them thoroughly and rinse with a mild bleach solution, recommending just one capful of liquid bleach to 1 gallon of water. Board of Water Supply also informs residents that when filling containers, be sure to fill them to the top, keeping a minimal amount of air in the bottle. For safe drinking water, add one drop of mild liquid bleach per gallon of water, then cap and store in a cool dark place — and if storing for four weeks or longer, add one half cap of mild liquid bleach per gallon of water. Hawaiian Electric also recommends ways to sanitize water through boiling, disinfecting and distillation. Do not drink or treat water from streams, rivers, ponds or similar places, as they may contain heavy metals, pollutants, bacteria and/or viruses. More information on safe water storage can be found at boardofwatersupply.com/prep.

FOOD For food, nonperishable items are a no-brainer, but the best piece of advice is to stock up on things you normally eat, such as dried fruits, crackers, peanut butter, jelly, dried corn, rice and dry pasta. This makes it easier to rotate the items so they don’t sit and expire. Additionally, make sure to keep it to foods that don’t need to be cooked. After all, fuel and power may not be available during emergencies. Long-lasting, nonperishable food items that require no heating are best, such as Spam, Vienna sausages and sardines. However, stocking up on propane tanks and gas stoves are nice-to-have commodities, though not necessary. Generally, the Hawaii Department of Health says that food in the fridge and freezer should be safe for up to four hours after the power is out, and it is best to keep the refrigerator door closed as much as possible. Despite Hawaii experiencing various natural disasters in the past, not everybody is always prepared for the mischance of a hurricane or tsunami. As soon as a disaster is forecast, most general goods stores and markets will find themselves swamped with customers. Therefore, to avoid the stress of long lines and low inventory, start stocking up before the next emergency situation arises.

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American Red Cross REDCROSS.ORG

American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter R E D C R O S S . O R G / H AWA I I

American Veterinary Medical Association Disaster Preparedness AV M A . O R G / D I S A S T E R

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals A S P C A . O R G / P E T - C A R E / D I S A S T E R - P R E PA R E D N E S S

Board of Water Supply HBWS.ORG

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention E M E R G E N C Y. C D C . G O V / D I S A S T E R S

City and County of Honolulu Department of Emergency Management H O N O LU LU. G O V / D E M

Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA.GOV R E A D Y. G O V

FEMA’s “Family Emergency Plan” R E A D Y. G O V / M A K E - A - P L A N

Flood Smart F LO O D S M A R T. G O V

Hawaii County Civil Defense H AWA I I C O U N T Y. G O V / C I V I L - D E F E N S E

Hawaii County Emergency Response Team H AWA I I C E R T. O R G H AWA I I C O U N T Y. G O V / D E PA R T M E N T S / C I V I L - D E F E N S E / H AWA I - I - C O U N T Y - C E R T

Hawaii Emergency Management Agency R E A D Y. H AWA I I . G O V D O D. H AWA I I . G O V / H I E M A

Hawaiian Electric Emergency Preparedness H AWA I I A N E L E C T R I C . C O M / P R E PA R E

Hawaiian Electric Outage Map H AWA I I A N E L E C T R I C . C O M / S A F E T Y - A N D - O U TA G E S / P O W E R - O U TA G E S

Hawaiian Humane Society H AWA I I A N H U M A N E . O R G / D I S A S T E R - R E A D Y

Joint Typhoon Warning Center W W W. M E TO C . N AV Y. M I L / J T W C / J T W C . H T M L

Kauai County Emergency Response Team KAUAI.GOV/CERT

Kauai Emergency Management KAUAI.GOV/KEMA

Maui County Emergency Response Team M A U I C O U N T Y. G O V /1899/ C O M M U N I T Y EMERGENC Y-RESPONSE-TEAM

Maui County Emergency Preparedness Resources M A U I R E A D Y. O R G

Maui Emergency Management M A U I C O U N T Y. G O V /70/ E M E R G E N C Y - M A N A G E M E N T AGENC Y

National Flood Insurance Program F E M A . G O V / F LO O D - I N S U R A N C E

National Weather Service Honolulu Forecast Office W E AT H E R . G O V / H AWA I I

National Weather Service Central Pacific Hurricane Center N H C . N O A A . G O V /? C PA C

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA.GOV

Oahu County Emergency Response Team H O N O LU LU. G O V / D E M / I N V O LV E D / G E T - T R A I N E D. H T M L

Oahu emergency alerts HNL.INFO

The Pacific Disaster Center PDC.ORG

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center TSUNAMI.GOV

NOAA’s NWS “Turn Around Don’t Drown” W E AT H E R . G O V / S A F E T Y / F LO O D - T U R N - A R O U N D DONT-DROWN

Underwriters’ Laboratories UL.ORG

United States Geological Survey USGS.GOV

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