LIHUE — The official hurricane season in the central Pacific region, which includes Hawaii, started Friday and runs through Nov. 30.
According to the National Weather Service, this year’s outlook calls for three to six tropical cyclones with a 40 percent chance of an above-normal season, a 40 percent chance of a normal season, and only a 20 percent chance of a below-normal season.
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 Hawaii.
An average season has four or five storms, which includes tropical depressions, tropical storms as well as hurricanes.
“With the hurricane season on the horizon, it is important for the public to plan and prepare for hurricanes now,” said Kauai Emergency Management Agency Administrator Elton Ushio. “During our initial response to the April flood and landslide disaster, we noted an immediate need and demand for food and water. We can all learn from this and prepare accordingly as we build our disaster kits.”
He noted that 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, flashlight, an extra supply of prescription medicines and other items specific to individual and family needs.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center 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 serve as 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 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 to strike 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 regarding hurricane season is available on the county website or the Central Pacific Hurricane Center website, bit.ly/1o9GW0C
To sign up for the county’s free emergency notification service, Blackboard Connect, please go to the county website, www.kauai.gov/kema.
