Mayor Kirk Caldwell updates on approaching Hurricane Douglas and COVID-19 threat
Stay home when Douglas will pass over our shores. We will come out stronger, come out of this together, clean up together. This is the message today by Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell.
A hurricane during a significant increase in COVID-19 cases on Oahu is a double challenge for emergency management and the city of Honolulu. Not many tourists are in Honolulu, which makes planning for the upcoming emergency a little easier.
Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell is not getting a break in this marathon. The mayor criticized the Hawaii Department of Health for not alerting the City about triggers before the increase in COVID-19 infections. Today, Hawaii registered the highest increase in new cases since the start of the pandemic. The number compared to all other states is still very low with 60+ cases, but it’s an alarming development.
The Mayor asked, can we handle 60 COVID-19 cases without closing up again? He indicated that a red line indicating the need to stop is close, as he has ordered gyms to require customers to always wear masks and bars to close at midnight. He said the current challenges can only be managed together.
With Hurricane Douglas on a direct path to the State of Hawaii, the Mayor said staying at home is the best way to observe social distancing, the safest way to force the spread of COVID-19 to slow down, and the best way to protect during the upcoming storm.
The city is prepared and all players from the Red Cross, Ocean Safety, Honolulu Fire Department, and Police Department are working in together. The city information line will be open from 7 am to 7 pm as well as on Saturday and Sunday to assist. The number for the information line is 768-CITY or go to honolulu.gov/den
Hotels are considered to provide shelter places in Honolulu. There are plenty of large empty hotels and resorts available. Such negotiations are up to the Health Department.
Residents are urged to have a 14-day supply of food and water, and everyone should be prepared to take supplies to emergency centers if necessary in a clean container. Everyone should have emergency power like batteries available for 2 weeks.
The Mayor signed an emergency proclamation to allow more gathering of people in emergency shelters, ignoring social distancing rules otherwise in place. For the hurricane response, up to 50 may gather in one shelter location.
The Mayor urged to consider going to shelters only if it’s not safe at home and if there are no friends or family available to take you in. The best way to handle the storm is to stay at home. Residents should expect potential wind damage to homes, roofs, windows, and trees as well as heavy rain, flooding, and high surf.
The Fire Department chief said, “If we need to evacuate, remain calm and please cooperate with instructions provided.” He assured that the Fire Department will respond until it becomes too dangerous to do so.
The Red Cross is asking for volunteers and donations. The Hawaii Red Cross can be reached at 808-739-8122 or redress.org/hawaii
The Police Chief asked that people only use 911 for true emergencies and urged everyone to stay off the road and out of the water. Lifeguards will go on mobile operations and monitor beaches remotely.
There will not be trash collections on Sunday and Monday, and most likely TheBus and Handivans will not operate on those days as well.
“It has been a tough year. We are city employees. We have the incredible privilege of job security,” said the Emergency Room Chief.
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