National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family and community emergency planning now and throughout the year. Here on Kauai, we are in the midst of hurricane season; however, hurricanes and other hazards can take place year-round.
Due to the geographic isolation of our island state and the multitude of hazards faced, the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA) advises all residents to maintain at least a 14-day supply of non-perishable food and water (1 gallon per person, per day) in an emergency kit.
Other recommended emergency kit items include: first aid kit, medical equipment/medications (ideally a month’s supply), radio (e.g. a NOAA weather radio), flashlight with extra batteries, phone and charger, clothes, personal hygiene items, cash, copies of important documents, and supplies for those with extra needs, such as keiki, kupuna, and pets.
If putting together a 14-day kit is cost-prohibitive for your household, consider adding one emergency kit item to your shopping cart each time you go to the store so that total cost is spread throughout the year.
Adding calorie dense food items such as peanut butter lessens the amount of food you need to store since a single 48-ounce jar has enough calories to feed an adult for four days. If emergency water storage is a barrier for your household due to space constraints, consider purchasing water containers or bladders that can be filled when we are placed in a storm watch and then emptied if the threat passes.
In addition to a 14-day kit, a three-day kit is also advisable in the event your household needs to evacuate to a public shelter.
Further, all households should also have a plan for what to do if Kauai is threatened by a hurricane. Whenever possible, HI-EMA advises the public to shelter in place or with family/friends in homes built or renovated to code after 1994 and located outside of areas prone to flooding and/or storm surge.
If you plan to evacuate to a public shelter, please keep in mind that you will need to bring all supplies such as food, water, medications, and blankets with you. Visit the Kauai Emergency Management Agency’s website for the potential shelter list. During a disaster, announcements will be made by the County of Kauai regarding which shelters have been opened.
For more information on emergency preparedness, please visit www.kauai.gov/KEMA, bit.ly/2muJm0n
