State Civil Defense, counties, weather officials and various other agencies have been in close communication with the media and the public as Tropical Storm Flossie approached, preventing the situation from reaching a crisis level, Gov. Neil Abercrombie said today.

“Everybody’s on it,” Abercrombie told reporters in his office today. “I think from the point of view of disasters or crises that that’s been avoided to this point.

“It certainly inconveniences, but people have to stay alert, use their heads, not act foolishly, pay attention, don’t do things you don’t have to do — the usual admonitions. I think if everybody pays attention and does the right thing we’ll be OK.”

With the storm’s intensity changing as it makes landfall, Abercrombie said officials would react accordingly.

“I’ve informed the various department heads — and the mayors are working with their departments — to make sure that we reflect the commands of the weather, if you will,” he said. “Whatever the weather is dictating, we’re prepared to move flexibly and with alacrity as to what needs to be done.”

He said residents should continue to follow updates as they are made available publicly and through the news media.

“Pay attention to the official channels of communication,” he said. “Everybody’s in touch with one another who has authority and responsibility and you can rely on their communication to you.”