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 |
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
As Hurricane Jimena moves closer to the southern tip of Hawai'i, Big Island civil authorities are preparing for action and asking residents to do the same.
In expectation of dangerous surf conditions, Hawai'i County Civil Defense closed beaches in Puna and Ka'u last night, and police were monitoring conditions from Kumukahi Point to South Point. Those steps were taken after the Central Pacific Hurricane Center issued a hurricane watch for the island.
The Big Island is also under a tropical storm warning, said Tim Craig, lead forecaster for the National Weather Service's Hurricane Center.
The combination of the two alerts means that the Hurricane Center expects the Big Island to be hit by tropical force winds — anywhere from 40 mph to 70 mph — within 24 hours, and that there is a possibility that those winds could reach hurricane force within 36 hours, Craig said last night.
Hurricane force winds are 75 mph or faster.
At 11 p.m. yesterday, the center of Hurricane Jimena was 585 miles east southeast of Hilo and moving west at about 17 mph.
Craig said if the storm maintains its present course and speed, Jimena will pass 70 miles south of South Point at about 5 a.m. tomorrow.
Jimena has remained consistently on its westward course and is expected to continue to do so, Craig said.
"Which doesn't mean you can breathe easy," Craig said. "All it would take is for it to move a little bit ... "
"If we didn't think that was a possibility," Craig said, "we wouldn't have put out a hurricane watch."
Craig said surf heights on Maui and the Big Island were expected to reach 8 to 12 feet by early this morning, with occasional higher sets. Surf conditions will be updated as the storm moves closer, he said.
As of last night, winds on the other Neighbor Islands were not expected to be affected by the storm.
Troy Kindred, Civil Defense administrator for Hawai'i County, said last night that Big Island beachfront residents should be prepared to evacuate. Campers in Pohoiki are advised to be especially cautious and boaters should stay out of the water.
With the possibility of strong winds, high surf and heavy rains arriving at any point within 36 hours after the hurricane watch was issued at 2 p.m. yesterday, Big Island residents took heed and were stocking up on emergency supplies.
"Yeah, they coming in, for batteries and for water — canned goods mostly," said Gail Sarong, who was manning the register last night at Da Store, a grocery at Hawaiian Beaches in Puna.
"Oh, yes," said Winona Chow of Ace Hardware in Hilo. "Batteries, tape, flashlights: I'm at the checkout counter and I've got a line a mile long."
At its present course and speed, the hurricane will pass far enough south of the other islands to have little effect on their weather. The weather service will continue to issue regular updates as the weekend progresses.
Reach Karen Blakeman at 535-2430 or kblakeman@honoluluadvertiser.com.
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| Hurricane tips
The American Red Cross is reminding residents to be prepared for Hurricane Jimena 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 |
