Hawaii Islands Emergency address by Governor Ige on Hurricane Douglas

Hurricane Douglas did not weaken as expected. It remains a dangerous category one hurricane.

Mayor Caldwell wants everyone to understand that the impact of hurricane will be felt in hours. “This is a serious, serious storm.”
Anyone on Oahu can expect strong winds starting at 2.30 pm before the arrival of Hurricane Douglas tonight at 7.30 pm. The hurricane is expected to be more dangerous in the North of the Island, but this maybe change. Winds could get as strong as 55-75 mph.

Hawaii Governor Ige and Mayor Kirk Caldwell along with the three other mayors addressed Hawaii residents and visitors at 11.30 am this morning. The Island of Hawaii was spared so far, but the storm is expected to attack Maui, Oahu, and overnight the Island of Kauai. Representatives of the Hawaii Tourism Authority did not attend any Hurricane Conversations, reflecting the low number of visitors in the State of Hawaii. Visitors in Quarantine were allowed to shop for necessary groceries and medications in preparation for the approaching hurricane.

FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency  confirmed all their resources are in place.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell announced this morning, out of an abundance of caution, all City and County of Honolulu offices will be closed on Monday, July 27. The only employees who will need to report to work are designated response workers, to assist with recovery efforts. Based on the 11 a.m. forecast from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, Hurricane Douglas continues to present a significant threat to Oahu.  In order to ensure everyone is aware and to emphasize the seriousness of the threat, the City will be sounding the outdoor warning siren at 12 p.m. Sirens will sound a steady tone for 3 minutes.

Mayor Caldwell met with staff this morning as the City and County of Honolulu Emergency Operations center began 24 Hours operations ahead of possible impacts from Hurricane Douglas. O‘ahu residents are asked to prepare for strong winds, dangerous surf, heavy rainfall, and potential flooding the next 24 hours.

O‘ahu remains under a hurricane watch this morning with maximum sustained winds of 90 mph. As of 8 a.m. Hurricane Douglas was located approximately 185 miles East of Honolulu. On the current track, Douglas will pass near, or over O‘ahu today and tonight.

Maui’s concern is Hana and the Island of Molokai.

“Out of concern and an abundance of caution for our employees and the public, we’re closing our offices tomorrow. With a hurricane watch still in effect for O‘ahu, this is the time to make sure you get somewhere safe immediately,” said Mayor Caldwell. “The first priority is to protect the lives of yourself and your family. Please secure all loose items outside your home, and stay inside.”

Airports will remain to be open in the State of Hawaii with some airlines operating transpacific flights to the US mainland.

Today, President Donald J. Trump declared that an emergency exists in the State of Hawaii and ordered Federal assistance to supplement State and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Douglas beginning on July 23, 2020, and continuing.

The President’s action authorizes the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardship and suffering caused by the emergency on the local population, and to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, and to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the counties of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui and the City and County of Honolulu.

Specifically, FEMA is authorized to identify, mobilize, and provide at its discretion, equipment and resources necessary to alleviate the impacts of the emergency.  Emergency protective measures, limited to direct Federal assistance and reimbursement for mass care including evacuation and shelter support will be provided at 75 percent Federal funding.

Pete Gaynor, Administrator, FEMA, Department of Homeland Security, named Dolph A. Diemont as the Federal Coordinating Officer for Federal recovery operations in the affected areas.

While evacuation shelters offer some protection from high winds and flying debris, they are intended to be a last resort option for residents to use at their own risk. In almost all cases, the identified evacuation shelters HAVE NOT been designed or hardened for winds greater than a tropical storm (39 mph). These shelters are, however, a safer option than remaining in areas prone to flooding or storm surge inundation, on exposed ridgelines, or in older homes with wood frames or single-wall construction. Whenever possible, the public should plan to shelter in place or stay with family or friends in homes outside of these hazard areas that were designed, built, or renovated to withstand anticipated conditions.

768-CITY

Questions about closures or city services, they are asked to visit oneoahu.org or call 768-CITY (2489).The call center will be open till 4:30 p.m. on Friday, July 24. Then on Saturday, July 25 and Sunday, July 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.