Honolulu Department of Emergency Update on the impact of Hurricane Douglas

Juergen Steinmetz
As Hurricane Douglas approaches the state there is a strong possibility of coastal inundation and storm surge, particularly along the east-facing shores. This is just one of the reasons it’s so important to be prepared. This map, produced with guidance from the Central Pacific Hurricane Center, is a worst-case composite for a storm with similar intensity, forward speed, and trajectory as Hurricane Douglas, incorporating uncertainties in the track, intensity, and size forecast.
While this is not exact, it paints a picture of what we can expect.  This map depicts the potential flooding that could be produced from storm surge during a tropical cyclone similar to Hurricane Douglas. Storm surge is water from the ocean that is pushed onshore by the force of the winds and should not be confused with surf. This map does NOT depict inundation from surf and it does NOT depict flooding caused by rain. Those along the windward coast of Oahu should pay particular attention to the possibility of the combined effects of storm surge, high surf, and flooding from rain.
This map should only be used as a general guideline for understanding where storm surge flooding could occur given the current forecast situation. Flooding from storm surge depends on many factors, such as the track, intensity, size, and forward speed of the tropical cyclone and the characteristics of the coastline where it comes ashore or passes nearby. These factors are difficult to predict far in advance of a tropical cyclone affecting a particular area. It includes many assumptions and has limitations, and it cannot tell you what amount of flooding will definitely occur at any given location. The actual areas that could become flooded may differ from the areas shown on this map. This map accounts for tides, but not waves and not flooding caused by rainfall.

For a Hurricane:

Sheltering-in-place:map of oahu with potential storm surge

If you live in a house, consider sheltering-in-place if your home meets ALL of these criteria:

  • Was built 1995 or retrofitted to withstand hurricane-force winds
  • Located outside of a storm surge hazard area.
  • You have protected windows AND/OR have access to a safe room, an interior room with no windows or exterior walls and with enough space for all family members, pets, and emergency supplies.

 

For high-rise condo or apartment (10 stories or higher) dwellers, shelter in place if all of the following conditions are met:

  • You have protected windows OR have access to safe room, an interior room with no windows or exterior walls and with enough space for all family members, pets, and emergency supplies.
  • You are able to survive without electricity and are capable of climbing up and down stairs to receive emergency information post-storm.
  • If your high-rise condominium is within the storm surge hazard area, you may shelter in place if you live on or have access to the 4th floor or above.

 

If you are not able to meet all of the above conditions, then you need to make plans for evacuation. Please remember that in this moment the storm is the most immediate threat to your saftey. Although the risk of contracting COVID-19 is still prevalent within our community, staying in your unsafe home poses a greater danger to your life. Please consider evacuating to friends or famlily first, and as a last resort, a hurricane evacuation shelter.

Evacuating to friends or family:

If you are unable to shelter-in-place, consider evacuating to the home of a friend or family members that meets the above criteria for houses and condominiums. Take all of your disaster supplies with you.

Evacuating to a hurricane evacuation shelter:

If you do not have any other options, evacuate to the nearest hurricane evacuation shelter. While hurricane evacuation shelters offer some protection from high winds, flying debris, storm surge and flooding, they are intended to be a last resort option for residents and visitors without safer options to use – at their own risk. In almost all cases, the identified hurricane evacuation shelters HAVE NOT been designed or hardened for winds greater than a tropical storm. These shelters are, however, a safer option than remaining in areas prone to flooding, storm surge inundation, or in older homes with wood frames or single wall construction.

Evacuees should not expect personal care attendants or caregivers to be available at evacuation shelters. Only general assistance and accommodations will be provided. In addition, evacuation shelters DO NOT stock supplies. You must bring with you as much of your 14-Day Disaster Supply Kit as possible which includes food, water, medications, clothes, bedding, air mattresses/cots, and other emergency supplies. Due to COVID-19, please bring face coverings, detergent to wash them, hand sanitizer, and other sanitation products.

Household pets entering shelters must be securely leashed, or in a pet carrier/cage for safety. Owners must provide water and food for their pets, and will be expected to assist in the care of their animals.

COVID-19 Update: Please remember that in this moment the storm is the most immediate threat to your safety. Although the risk of contracting COVID-19 is still prevalent within our community, staying in your unsafe home poses a greater danger to your life. Please consider evacuating to friends or family first, and as a last resort, a hurricane evacuation shelter. All public shelters will be instituting medical screening (temperature and wellness checks) upon check-in as well as applying social distancing standards to ensure the shelter is as safe as possible for evacuees as well as shelter operations staff.
Oahu Hurricane Evacuation Shelter List 

For a Tsunami: 
It is important to identify if your home, work, school, place of worship, and other frequented areas are in a tsunami evacuation zone in order to plan accordingly.
Please note that the Oahu Tsunami Evacuation Map illustrates three zones:

Tsunami Evacuation Zone (TEZ): Evacuation zone based on distant tsunami events that have impacted the State of Hawaii and Island of Oahu in the past 100 years. These areas are shown in RED on the map.
Extreme Tsunami Evacuation Zone (EXTEZ): Evacuation zone for a tsunami that exceeds the historic distant Tsunami Evacuation Zone (TEZ). These areas are shown in YELLOW on the map.
Tsunami Safe Zone: Safe zones are areas outside of evacuation zones. These areas are shown in GREEN on the map.

 

For most TSUNAMI WARNINGS, evacuate out of the red zone; for an EXTREME TSUNAMI WARNING, evacuate out of the red AND yellow zones. If you are in a Tsunami Evacuation zone or low-lying coastal area during a strong earthquake, move immediately to higher ground outside of the RED Tsunami Evacuation Zone; a tsunami could reach the shore within minutes.

Insurance: Understanding Your Coverage

 

Homeowners and renters insurance does not always cover all of the damages and losses that may be incurred by a disaster. Know what is and is not covered by your insurance policy. Read My Insurance Doesn’t Cover What? to understand your coverage.

Map Your Neighborhood

Neighborhoods that are prepared for emergencies and disaster situations save lives, reduce the severity of injuries and trauma and reduce property damage. In addition, contributing as an individual and working together as a team helps develop stronger communities and improve the quality of life in the community.

The Map Your Neighborhood program guides you and your neighbors through simple steps to help enhance your preparedness for an emergency. These steps will help you to quickly and safely take actions that can minimize damage and protect lives. It is designed to improve disaster readiness at the neighborhood level, 15-20 homes or a defined area that you can canvas in 1 hour.  It teaches neighbors to rely on each other during the hours or days before fire, medical, police or utility responders arrive.

Map Your Neighborhood was developed by Washington State’s Emergency Management Division. Get started in your neighborhood today!

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