LIHU‘E — Local, state and federal officials will embark on a process aimed at validating damage data from heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding earlier this month on the island.
LIHU‘E — Local, state and federal officials will embark on a process aimed at validating damage data from heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding earlier this month on the island.
The process, known as a joint preliminary damage assessment (JPDA), will help with possible requests for a presidential disaster declaration and other federal disaster assistance.
“The JPDA process follows up on the initial assessments by county, state, National Guard, American Red cross and eligible nongovernmental partners,” said Kaua‘i Emergency Management Agency Administrator (KEMA) Elton Ushio in a statement on Friday.
“JPDA validation will determine possible paths forward in terms of potential assistance from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and the U.S. Small Business Administration.”
The damage assessment portal opened on April 12 in the aftermath of a 12-hour rainfall event that produced upward of 12 inches of precipitation in some areas.
Local residents and business owners were encouraged to submit reports to the County of Kaua‘i in order to help officials understand the scope of property damage and impacts to the community.
But the incoming pace of those reports has dwindled leading KEMA to wind things down.
“With our damage assessment portal closing on Monday, we encourage those who haven’t yet reported their damages to do so this weekend,” Ushio said. “Officials will continue to announce updates as resources become available and we encourage all to stay informed.”
Personnel involved in conducting damage assessments in the upcoming week will have proper identification to verify their credentials.
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Need to study where storm water traveling from in Koloa,,, is it coming from Waita resivoir, what streams are transporting the rain water and look at diverting the water from Koloa and Poipu to less harmful options!!!