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With Hurricane Douglas expected to reach Hawaii this weekend, the National Weather Service issued the following advisory of potential impacts from the storm and precautionary actions that the public should be taking:
POTENTIAL IMPACTS AND PREPARATION ADVICE FOR FOR OAHU
WIND
>> Oahu is under a hurricane warning as of about 11 a.m. today, which means hurricane conditions are possible in 36 to 48 hours..
>> Equivalent Tropical Storm force wind peak wind forecast: 35-45 mph with gusts to 60 mph
>> Window for Tropical Storm force winds: Sunday afternoon until early Monday morning
>> Potential for wind 58 to 73 mph
>> The wind threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
PLAN: For dangerous wind of equivalent strong tropical storm force.
PREPARE: Remaining efforts to protect life and property should be completed as soon as possible. Prepare for significant wind damage.
ACT: Move to safe shelter before the wind becomes hazardous.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Significant
>> Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door
failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles.
>> Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over.
>> Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable.
>> Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines.
FLOODING RAIN
>>Flash Flood Watch is in effect
>> Peak Rainfall Amounts: 4-8 inches, with locally higher amounts
>> Potential for major flooding rain
>> The flooding rain threat has remained nearly steady from the previous assessment.
PLAN: Emergency plans should include the potential for major flooding from heavy rain. Evacuations and rescues are likely
PREPARE: Strongly consider protective actions, especially if you are in an area vulnerable to flooding.
ACT: Heed any flood watches and warnings. Failure to take action will likely result in serious injury or loss of life.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS: Extensive
>> Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
>> Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
>> Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover
escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some
weakened or washed out.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS FOR ALL HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
Wind:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts across the State of Hawaii. Potential impacts in this area include:
>> Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight objects become dangerous projectiles.
>> Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several fences and roadway signs blown over.
>> Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access routes impassable.
>> Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent in areas with above ground lines.
Surge:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited impacts across portions of the Hawaiian Islands. Potential impacts in this area include:
>> Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
>> Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where surge water covers the road.
>> Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
>> Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks, and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings. Elsewhere across the Hawaiian islands, little to no impact is anticipated.
Flooding rain:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible extensive impacts across the State of Hawaii. Potential impacts include:
>> Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
>> Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.
>> Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes. Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous. Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
Tornadoes:
Little to no impacts are anticipated at this time across the Hawaiian islands.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
Evacuations:
Listen to local official for recommended preparedness actions, including possible evacuation. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately. For those not under evacuation orders, assess the risk from wind, falling trees, and flooding at your location. If you decide to move, relocate to a safer location nearby. If you do not relocate, help keep roadways open for those under evacuation orders.
Other preparedness information:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding. When making safety and preparedness decisions, do not focus on the exact forecast track since hazards such as flooding rain, damaging wind gusts, storm surge, and tornadoes extend well away from the center of the storm.
Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are unsafe.
If you are a visitor, be sure to know the name of the city or town in which you are staying and the name of the county in which it resides. Listen for these locations in local news updates. Pay attention for instructions from local authorities.
When securing your property, outside preparations should be concluded as soon as possible before conditions deteriorate. The onset of strong gusty winds or flooding can cause certain preparedness activities to become unsafe.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.
For more information:
RELATED
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>> Hawaii forecasters list potential impacts from Hurricane Douglas and advise precautionary actions
>> Trump issues emergency declaration for Hawaii in advance of Hurricane Douglas’ arrival
>> A list of Hawaii events and services canceled or postponed due to approaching Hurricane Douglas
>> Pearl Harbor ships, subs prepare to head to sea ahead of Hurricane Douglas
>> ‘Hurricane Hunters’ fly into Hurricane Douglas’ eye to help forecasters assess risk
>> Here’s a list of emergency shelters to open on Oahu and Maui County
>> Sandbags and plywood become necessities for many as Hurricane Douglas approaches Hawaii
>> Honolulu lifeguards will go mobile Sunday when lifeguard towers close
>> LIVE BLOG: Tracking Hurricane Douglas
>> VIDEO: National Weather Service’s Robert Ballard answers Hurricane Douglas questions
>> The Electric Kitchen: Prepare pantry for hurricane season
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