As Hurricane Flossie roared toward Hawai‘i yesterday, Kaua‘i residents and visitors mostly tended to business as usual. Retail stores here sold a steady stream of storm-related supplies without much fuss. “We’ve been relatively busy… selling a lot of paper plates,
As Hurricane Flossie roared toward Hawai‘i yesterday, Kaua‘i residents and visitors mostly tended to business as usual.
Retail stores here sold a steady stream of storm-related supplies without much fuss.
“We’ve been relatively busy… selling a lot of paper plates, batteries, toilet paper, water and rice,” said Wal-Mart Assistant Manager Elene.
There were several bare shelves at the Lihu‘e store, but employees steadily restocked bottled water, canned food and other emergency items in preparation for the first serious hurricane threat this season.
Hurricane Flossie weakened to a Category 3 storm Monday with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph as it tracked toward Hawai‘i, but it was expected to pass less than 100 miles from the islands.
Earlier in the day, Flossie had been a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph.
At 8 p.m., Flossie was about 295 miles south-southeast of Hilo, the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said. The storm was moving west-northwest at about 16 mph.
Hurricane force winds of at least 74 mph extended outward up to 40 miles from the center of the storm, while tropical storm force winds of at least 39 mph extend outward up to 140 miles.
A Kaua‘i County press release sent out late yesterday states the closest point that Hurricane Flossie is predicted to approach is 219 miles from Lihu‘e Wednesday at 5 p.m.
“I urge everyone to take the necessary steps to prepare for the possibility of a hurricane,” said Mayor Bryan Baptiste in the release. “Most importantly, make sure you have a plan for your family.”
A tropical storm warning, hurricane watch and flash flood watch will remain in effect throughout today for the mostly rural Big Island, home to 150,000 people.
Big Island Mayor Harry Kim declared a state of emergency yesterday as a precaution. All 56 public schools there are closed today.
“This is potentially a very dangerous and destructive hurricane for the people and lands of Hawai‘i Island,” Kim said in a statement. “The next 48 hours will determine what impact this island will sustain because of Hurricane Flossie. All emergency response agencies have been doing their work in preparing the people for the worst case scenario.”
The Department of Land and Natural Resources closed all state parks, forest and natural area reserves and trails on the Big Island for public safety.
“We will reopen these areas on the Big Island as soon as the weather improves, and we can assess them for safe conditions,” said Laura H. Thielen, DLNR interim chairwoman. “We also urge the public on other islands to be aware of the progress of the storm, and to be prepared for possible adverse conditions.”
Gov. Linda Lingle signed an emergency disaster proclamation to improve the state’s ability to respond quickly to any potential damage caused by the storm, a news release states.
It authorizes Hawai‘i’s Adjutant General Robert Lee to “activate such units of the Hawai‘i National Guard as may be necessary to assist and aid civilian authorities in disaster relief and averting any imminent public danger and threat and to ensure the compliance with the civil laws of the state of Hawai‘i.”
The proclamation also provides for the expenditure of state money “for the speedy and efficient protection and relief of the damages, losses and suffering resulting from the threatened disaster.”
Forecasters expect heavy showers to produce up to 10 inches of rain, winds at 45 to 50 mph with higher gusts, and surf up to 20 feet on the Big Island.
Two Air Force WC-130 hurricane tracker planes were dispatched from Mississippi and flew into the storm to gather measurements yesterday afternoon, the Associated Press reported.
The National Weather Service forecast for today and tomorrow on Kaua‘i calls for partly sunny skies, scattered showers and trade winds at 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 40 mph.
There is a small craft advisory for Kaua‘i’s northwest waters until Thursday morning.
“Everyone in Hawai‘i is urged to closely monitor future bulletins as this extremely dangerous hurricane approaches the Hawaiian islands,” the Central Pacific Hurricane Center said in a statement.
Hawai‘i Market Manager Brian Halsey directed the Hilo and Kailua-Kona Wal-Mart stores to remain open 24-hours a day to serve community needs in preparation for Hurricane Flossie.
Kaua‘i’s Wal-Mart will remain open normal hours from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., Elene said, until further notice.
“It is important for individuals and families to have their own preparedness kit and plan,” Lingle said in a statement encouraging all Hawai‘i residents and visitors to take the necessary steps to ensure safety of their families, pets and properties.
Some storm preparedness was mixed with excitement on Kaua‘i.
After watching captains make preparations in Hanalei to secure their boats for the storm, North Shore surfer Jason Donovan said he noticed the waves were already up on the Eastside.
“I’m on my way right now to get a head start before the crowds,” he said early yesterday evening.
List of shelters on Kaua‘i
Central
• Kamakahelei Middle School
•Kauai Community College
•Kauai High and Intermediate School
•Kauai War Mermorial Convention Hall
•King Kaumualii Elementary
• Wilcox Elementary
Eastside
• Kapaa elementary, middle and high schools
South
• Eleele, Kalaheo and Koloa elementary schools
West
• Kekaha and Waimea Canyon elementary schools
• Waimea High School
North
• Kilauea Elementary School
• Kilauea Neighborhood Center
Preparedness checklist
• Portable radio
• Extra batteries
• Flashlights
• Battery powered lantern
• Matches
• First aid kit
• Medications
• Ice chest
• Containers of water (minimum two quarts per person per day)
• 5-day non-perishable food supply
• Sleeping bags or blankets
• Personal toilet articles and sanitary needs
• Change of clothing for each household member
• Fuel for stoves, hibachis, and lanterns
• Masking tape for windows and glass doors
• Extra pet food
n www.hawaii.gov
• Nathan Eagle, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or neagle@kauaipubco.com.
• The Associated Press contributed to this report.
