Gov. Ige, Kauai Mayor Carvalho issue emergency proclamations

Gov. David Ige issued an emergency proclamation today for Kauai after severe rains led to flooding and landslides on the island.

Ige said the Hawaii Guard and emergency responders from Honolulu are preparing to help Kauai with search and rescue operations as crews clear Kuhio Highway of a series of landslides caused by the flooding.

“We’ve mobilized to assist Mayor Carvalho and his emergency management team,” Ige said in a statement.

The proclamation authorizes the state to spend money for relief from damages caused by the weather.

It says Hawaii is “suffering a disaster occurrence of heavy rains and flooding” that began Saturday and continues, causing extensive damage to public and private property.

The heavy rains and flooding led to damages of such magnitude as to affect the health and welfare of a “substantial number of persons” and to affect the state’s economy, the proclamation says.

The impact of the storm is “expected to be of such nature as to warrant rehabilitative assistance from the State,” the proclamation says.

It follows an emergency proclamation signed by Kauai Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. this morning to conduct emergency operations on the north shore of Kauai following heavy rain and flooding over the weekend.

“We are working with the Hawai‘i Emergency Management Agency, the Governor’s Office, the Coast Guard, and other partners to respond to the immediate safety needs for the people in the hardest-hit area between Hanalei and Ha‘ena,” Carvalho said in a statement. “This morning, we will be working to assess the extent of the damage that occurred throughout the night. For now, we are urging people to stay off the roadway. Shelter in place in a safe location or evacuate to higher ground if you are in a flood-prone area.”

Homes in Hanalei, Wainiha, Anahola and Haena reported flooding. The county said two homes ripped from their foundations along Wainiha Powerhouse Road on Saturday were vacant. Power outages were reported in Wainiha and Hanalei.

A water service outage was reported this morning in Wainiha and Haena. There is no timeline for service restoration since the area is inaccessible.

Kuhio Highway is closed between Waikoko and Wainiha due to landslides and between Princeville and the Hanalei Bridge due to landslides and flooding. The highway is also closed at Kalihiwai Bridge due to flooding and debris.

The American Red Cross opened evacuation shelters at Kapaa Middle School, the Church of the Pacific in Princeville and Hanalei Elementary School.

Gov. Ige emergency proclamation for Kauai by Honolulu Star-Advertiser on Scribd