Be Ready Manoa Disaster Preparedness Fair

Save the date! The Be Ready Manoa Disaster Preparedness Fair will be held on Saturday, September 19, from 10 am to 2 pm at the Manoa Marketplace courtyard. The event is FREE and open to the public.



Tropical Storm Norbert

The following is an update from the Honolulu Star Advertiser as of 5 pm Thursday:

Tropical Storm Norbert is gradually intensifying in East Pacific waters, carrying maximum sustained winds of 50 mph with higher gusts. As of 5 p.m., Norbert was located about 900 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Baja California and moving west at 14 mph. This general motion is expected to continue until Friday, with a turn west-northwest likely on Saturday.

Norbert is forecast to grow stronger and could become a hurricane this weekend. Tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 70 miles from the center.

In Hawaii, local weather conditions continue to stabilize as tropical moisture linked to Tropical Storm Lowell moves out of the region, according to the National Weather Service in Honolulu. Drier easterly flow and moderate tradewinds are filtering in from east to west across the island chain, bringing a return to typical tradewind weather through early next week. Air that currently feels thick and suffocating with dew points in the lower 70s will finally break by Friday, as dew points in lower elevations drop into the mid-60s for a welcome transition to a lighter, more refreshing feel.

The damage that Hurricane Lowell brought to the island of Kauai is a sobering reminder of what can happen should a storm of hurricane intensity hit the island of Oahu. Please do what you can to prepare as September is one of the busiest months in the hurricane season.

>> Review and update family emergency plans, including where to go if evacuation is necessary.

>> Assemble or replenish emergency supplies, including enough food, water, medications and essential items to last at least 14 days.

>> Have flashlights, batteries, portable chargers and other supplies ready in the event of a power outage.

>> Secure outdoor furniture, equipment and other loose objects that could become hazardous in strong winds.

>> Clear gutters, drains and areas that could contribute to flooding.

>> Keep vehicles fueled and avoid waiting until the last minute to purchase essential supplies.

>> Know whether homes are in a flood, coastal or other hazard area and be prepared to relocate if necessary.

>> Sign up for HNL Alert emergency notifications by visiting hnlalert.gov or texting HNLALERT to 888777.

Post Hurricane Lala

If you were impacted by the storm, the City is asking all affected residents to fill out the online damage assessment form.  The purpose of this form is only to collect information that will help local officials understand the damage that occurred and impacts on the community. The City will also use this information to determine whether the City can request federal assistance programs.

Tropical Storm Lala was a reminder that everyone should prepare since August and September have historically been the most active months in which tropical cyclones form:

  • Create a plan and know what to pack and/or ensure is safe in the event of a major disaster. The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency has published a list of resources that can help you plan according to your personal situation.
  • The Department of Emergency Management recommends having a two-week emergency supply kit as well as a ‘Go-Bag’ in the event you have to evacuate. If you know of any vulnerable family, friends, or neighbors – consider helping them to prepare as they will have additional, specific, needs that need to be considered prior to, during, and after a major disaster.
  • Determine how you can harden your home and if you should shelter in place. This is a link to the Homeowner’s Handbook that is published by the University of Hawaii Sea Grant program. Page 59 is a chart that summarizes whether or not – based on the date of and type of construction – you should shelter in place. The book can be downloaded and is a very good reference for disaster preparedness planning. If you do need to evacuate, determine if you have a friend or family member whose home can be a shelter. If there is no safe option, please watch the news and/or check the Department of Emergency Management (DEM) website to find out which evacuation shelters will be open in your area and if its pet friendly.
  • Understand what to do in the event you hear the emergency siren. Here is a link to the Emergency Siren reference page – which contains the locations of all sirens. When you hear the siren, turn on the radio or local television and listen for more instructions should it sound due to an emergency. Sign up for HNL Alert to receive custom notifications.
  • Get trained to help the community post disaster. The Community Emergency Response Team (aka CERT) is a program that encourages ‘neighbors helping neighbors’. Should there be a statewide disaster, first responders and the government’s ability to respond to all areas affected will be limited. Communities will have to rely on its own residents to work together to address the immediate needs. Upcoming classes are available on the City and County of Honolulu website.



2026 Central Pacific Hurricane Season Forecast by the National Weather Service

Thanks to John Bravender, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service, for another informative session. The outlook for the Central Pacific is 5-13 Tropical Cyclones, and a 70% chance of an above normal season. The El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) outlook is a very high probability of a very strong El Nino – which means that it is more likely that certain impacts to weather could occur.

This is the full presentation. There are useful tips on how to be prepared toward the end of the presentation. Given the outlook for this hurricane season, please determine if you can/should shelter in place by accessing the Homeowner’s Handbook published by the UH Sea Grant. The Department of Emergency Management (DEM) will announce if/when any shelters will be made available, and you should have your evacuation bag already packed. Prepare ahead of time and avoid any last minute preparations.

NWS_presentation_BeReadyManoa_20260530Download


Emergency Preparedness References and Resources

Links

Websites



Manoa Recognized as Disaster Ready Community

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency

DAVID Y. IGE
GOVERNOR

MAJOR GENERAL ARTHUR J. LOGAN
DIRECTOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

VERN T. MIYAGI
ADMINISTRATOR OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

NEWS RELEASE
August 24, 2017

BE READY MANOA RECEIVED DISASTER RESILIENT
RECOGNITION AT 9th ANNUAL MANOA VALLEY NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY WATCH MEETING

HONOLULU — The community group Be Ready Manoa was honored as a disaster resilient community yesterday by local, state, and federal officials during the 9th Annual Manoa Valley Neighborhood Security Watch Meeting. Be Ready Manoa received recognition as a disaster resilient community through the Hawaii Hazards Awareness and Resilience Program (HHARP).

Distinguished guests that joined in honoring Be Ready Manoa’s designation as a disaster resilient community included:
• Representative Isaac Choy
• Vern Miyagi, Administrator of the Hawaii Emergency Management Agency
• Bruce E. Oliveira, Community Programs Director, State of Hawaii Department of Defense
• Kevin Richards, Natural Hazards Planner, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency
• Ann Kobayashi, Honolulu City Councilmember
• Crystal van Beelen, Disaster Preparedness Officer, Department of Emergency Management
• John Bravender, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Be Ready Manoa is the fifth community to achieve this recognition. Waimanalo, Kailua, Aina Haina and Joint Base Pearl Harbor are the other communities.

HHARP is a statewide program designed to guide communities through a disaster preparedness process that will empower them before, during, and after natural disasters such as hurricane, flash flood, and tsunami. Completion of HHARP includes presentations on local hazards and guidance in creating a community emergency plan.
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Media Contact:
Arlina Agbayani
Public Relations Officer
808-620-5423

Mahalo,
Arlina Agbayani
Public Relations Officer
Hawaii Emergency Management Agency (HI-EMA)
3949 Diamond Head Road
Honolulu, HI 96816
Cellular: 808-620-5423