Updated at 5:39 p.m., Sunday, August 31, 2003
Big Island braces for storm
| • | For the latest on Hurricane Jimena's strength and course, go to: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/cphc/ |
| • | Hurricane tips |
Associated Press
HILO, Hawai'i — Hurricane Jimena plowed across the Pacific with 100 mph winds today, heading for a glancing blow to the Big Island with high wind, strong surf and heavy rain.The hurricane, about 280 miles east-southeast of Hilo at 2 p.m. today, was moving westward at 20 mph, the National Weather Service said. The hurricane was slated to pass about 50 miles offshore from South Point, the southern tip of the state, sometime tomorrow morning.
The Central Pacific Hurricane Center posted a hurricane watch for Hawai'i, the state's biggest and southernmost island, and a high surf warning was issued for the isle's east and southeast shores. A flash flood watch and tropical storm warning were also in effect on the Big Island.
Jimena was expected to bring winds of 40 mph, with gusts to 60 mph, this evening, pouring 4 to 6 inches of rain and building surfs as high as 15 feet. Up to a foot of rain was possible in some areas, meteorologists said.
Hawai'i County Civil Defense closed beaches in Puna and Kau last night and the weather service said beachgoers should stay out of the water along all the affected shores. Police were monitoring conditions from Kumukahi Point to South Point and Civil Defense said beachfront residents of the Big Island should be prepared to evacuate.
But Big Island residents — while vigilant — were largely nonchalant about the impending storm.
"Everybody feels like it's not going to do anything, like we're not going to be affected," said Sterling Holeso, manager of the Naalehu Fruit Stand, one of the businesses in the southernmost part of the island. "Everybody's talking about it, but no one seems to be worried."
The Home Depot store in Kona reported brisk sales of flashlights, first-aid kits, electrical cords, fire extinguishers, batteries and trash bags. Electrical generators were sold out.
Coast Guard officials moved a 110-foot vessel usually berthed in Hilo out to sea to avoid the storm.
"It's time for people to take action, to commence preparations," Civil Defense Chief Troy Kendrid said.
Big Island residents were being advised to secure trash cans and lawn furniture and stay alert for toppled trees and downed power lines.
Elsewhere in the state, officials were also bracing for Jimena. The O'ahu Civil Defense Agency activated its Emergency Operating Center this morning to monitor the storm's progress as "a precautionary move," the agency said.
The last hurricane to hit Hawaii was Iniki, which devastated Kauai on Sept. 11, 1992.
| Hurricane tips
The American Red Cross is reminding residents to be prepared for this and any other storm. Here are a few of their tips: Prepare an evacuation plan. Identify where you could go if you are told to evacuate. Choose several places — a friend's home in a safe area, with family, a hotel or shelter. Be sure to bring extra clothing, pillows and blankets, and other hygiene and comfort supplies. Assemble a family disaster supply kit. Have emergency supplies set aside for all members of your household, including medication, non-perishable food, a nonelectric can opener, bottled water (at least three gallons per person), a battery-operated radio, flashlight with extra batteries, important documents, cash and credit cards, first-aid kit, and special items for infants, elderly or disabled family members, and pets. Prepare for high winds. Make trees more wind-resistant by removing diseased and damaged limbs, then strategically removing branches so that wind can blow through. Install permanent shutters on your windows and add protection to the outside areas of sliding glass doors. Strengthen garage doors and unreinforced masonry. Move or secure lawn furniture, outdoor decorations or ornaments, trash cans, hanging plants and anything that can be picked up by wind. The Hawaiian Humane Society also has tips for pet owners. • Pets are not allowed in Red Cross shelters so people in low-lying and flood areas should arrange with a friend or relative to care for pets if forced to evacuate. If you have no place to bring your pet and must evacuate, place the animal in its carrier in your parked car near the emergency shelter. Leave the windows open about an inch, and when you can do it safely, check on your pet as frequently as you can. • Be sure your pet is wearing identification. • Have a pet carrier or leash on hand for each animal. • Stock up on medications and food, as well as kitty litter, newspapers, plastic bags and cleansers to handle wastes. • Have a three-day water supply for your pets and store the water in sturdy containers. — Advertiser Staff |
